South African athletes planning to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games will be based at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham and the Lensbury club, and will also use a number of top quality club venues in the area. 

Professor Dick Fisher, Head of St Mary’s 2012 Preparations, said: “We felt that St Mary’s strengths as a high performance centre and the Lensbury’s excellent accommodation backed up by internationally recognised clubs in South London was an attractive offer. We are absolutely delighted that South Africa chose us to be part of their Road to 2012 programme and collaboration beyond that.”

SASCOC President Gideon Sam said: "In line with all our planning for the 2012 Games and the run-in to London it's absolutely critical that we quickly identify the areas where we are going to train so in this regard we are delighted to announce St Mary's and the Lensbury club as our choice of venue.

“It's important that we get the support structures in place and also build and maintain sporting relationships in England that will benefit our athletes both pre and post 2012.

“I must say that in the run-up to the 2012 Games it’s fantastic that we were able to identify a training camp venue so early on. It's very important that we do it right and get the athletes into the international atmosphere at an early stage and let them get used to their surroundings. They must be exposed to the international set-up.

In July this year a SASCOC delegation spent three days in South London looking at facilities as they reviewed potential sites in the UK. The announcement to use South London as the main base is welcome news to the consortium of clubs, universities, colleges and local authorities that together make up the Go South Go consortium.

London Mayor Boris Johnson welcomed the announcement, saying: "Having just marked 1,000 days to go to the 2012 Games, this is fantastic news. I am delighted that the South African squad has taken advantage of the LOCOG scheme and chosen to base itself at St Mary's and other venues in South London. Not only will the athletes be able to prepare using first rate facilities, they will be within easy reach of the very best that the greatest city on earth has to offer."