The news comes amid reports that the Bloemfontein based track superstar will swap the quarter mile event for the shorter 200m and 100m sprints.

Van Niekerk had previously indicated that he wants to give the sprints a go and that he would consider not running in the longer distance in order to achieve his goal due.

The speedster has already recorded the 2nd fastest time over 200 meters in 2017 clocking 19.84 in Kingston Jamaica which bodes well for his hopes of getting onto the podium at next year's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Although the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee's official qualification criteria for the Commonwealth Games has not been confirmed, Athletics South Africa has revealed that there will be plenty of events for athletes to secure their spots.

Twenty-three track and field meetings will be used as qualifiers ahead of the Games scheduled to be held on Australia’s Gold Coast in April.

The first already took place in Potchefstroom last week with the final event that will take place in Cape Town on the 15th December.