Roslee in for injured Mulaudzi as men eye team prize top 5 at World Cross Country Championships in USA

South Africa's plan to field its strongest senior men's World Cross Country team has been dealt a significant blow after man of the 10km moment Kabelo Mulaudzi withdrew from the world’s premier cross country competition. The reigning SA 10km cross country champion, who produced three sub 28 minute 10km clockings last season, is the victim of an injury which has forced him to skip the championships in the United States in order to focus on rehabilitation ahead of the 2026 season.

"We can confirm that Mulaudzi is injured," said ASA Cross Country Chairperson and Team Manager Jakes Jacobs. "He is replaced by Jayde Roslee who took finished in the top twenty in the junior race in Australia in 2023. He was the official reserve after his performance at the trials. The good thing is that Jayde is based in the US. So he will represent the country on behalf of Kabelo."

Mnisi, Mhlanga and Seloyi are all smiles at the Garden Court OR Tambo Hotel before departing for the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida. They will meet up with the US based trio of Wildschutt, Roslee and Masondo in America. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

In Mulaudzi's absence, SA Half Marathon record holder Adriaan Wildschutt will spearhead the team alongside SA Marathon champion Bennet Seloyi, SA 10km Champion Chris Mhlanga, US based Sanele Masondo and the much improved Msawenkosi Mnisi. Seloyi who finished as the first South African in 21st position at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in Serbia, believes that even in the absence of Mulaudzi, they are capable of returning with a top six finish in the senior men's 10km team competition after claiming eighth position in 2024 and fifth in 2023.

"That's what what we are aiming to achieve," he told #TheTopRunner. "I think we can fight for the team prize because we have strong team. Everyone looks fit and trained well during their respective December camps. We are ready. We can do something good."

Junior women, junior men, senior women and senior men ready to take on the World. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

Although the reigning national men's cross country champion will be absent, the 2025 women's 10km champion will lead the senior women's team alongside Kyla Jacobs in Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday 10 January. Competing at a World Cross Country Championships for the first time since stepping up to the marathon, Glenrose Xaba who took sixth place at last month’s Valencia Marathon, is confident of improving on the 32nd position she produced in Serbia two years ago.

"I did no train that much because I was already fit. So I rested and spent the rest of December polishing up because you can’t just come from a marathon and jump into another training programme. I will do my best to go with the East Africans because it’s something that I’m used to doing. I just want to improve and finish very strong. I’m feeling very good. No injury. I just want to do my best."