South Africa competed in the first Games in 1930 and have collected 196 medals since then, including 71 golds.
They did not compete between 1958 and 1990 because of the apartheid regime but made their return in 1994.
Their team of 212 picked up 34 medals, including nine gold, four years ago many of them coming in track and field as well as shooting.
Did you know?
South African hammer thrower Chris Harmse broke the Commonwealth record with a throw of 80.19m in April 2002.
But he will not be at the Games as he is a devout Christian and refuses to compete on Sundays.
His decision also kept him away from the Sydney Olympics 2000 and IAAF World Championships in Edmonton in 2001.