If you’re a South African athletics fan, this weekend’s World Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China, probably had you on your feet.
It was one of those nights where everything just clicked, and the country’s athletes delivered a performance that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
South Africa walked away with three medals — two shining golds and a hard-earned bronze — and more importantly, sent a message ahead of the upcoming World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo: they mean business.
Lightning Fast Finish Seals Gold in the Men’s 4x100m Relay
Things kicked off in electric fashion thanks to the men’s 4x100m team.
Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and Akani Simbine were simply unstoppable.
In the final, Simbine surged ahead in a nail-biting anchor leg, overtaking America’s Brandon Hicklin at the last moment to clock a world-leading 37.61 seconds — the fastest time recorded this year.
It was a breathtaking finish and a clear statement of intent, beating the US by just 0.05 seconds.
Earlier in the heats, the same team had already impressed with a 37.84, cruising past the competition while Jamaica stumbled due to a baton fumble.
Dominant Display in the Men’s 4x400m Brings More Gold
As if one gold wasn’t enough, South Africa’s men came back for more in the 4x400m — and delivered again.
The heat team of Mthi Mthimkulu, Udeme Okon, Lythe Pillay, and Zakithi Nene set the tone by winning their round in a world-best 3:00.00.
But the final team, made up of Gaerdeo Isaacs, Okon, Leendert Koekemoer, and Nene, took it up a notch.
With an astonishing time of 2:57.50, also the fastest this year, they left Belgium and Botswana in the dust.
Nene powered through the final stretch with confidence, securing South Africa’s second gold of the night.
Bronze Breakthrough for Women’s 4x400m Relay Stars
Not to be outdone, South Africa’s women’s 4x400m team also made their mark.
Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Precious Melepo, and Zeney van der Walt gave everything in the final.
Their result? A brand-new national record of 3:24.84 and a well-deserved bronze medal, finishing just behind the United States and Spain.
Earlier, in the heats, another record had already fallen when Nekhubui, Hannah van Niekerk, Melepo, and Van der Walt ran 3:28.01 — showing just how far the team has come.
Mixed 4x400m Team Puts Up a Strong Fight
In the mixed 4x400m, South Africa’s athletes showed grit and depth.
During the heats, Tumisang Shezi, Shirley Nekhubui, Leendert Koekemoer, and Zeney van der Walt managed to qualify directly for the final by coming in second behind Great Britain in 3:13.79.
The final saw Mthi Mthimkulu, Jada van Staden, Shezi, and Hannah van Niekerk finish in fifth place with a respectable time of 3:16.29, as the United States took gold.
While they didn’t medal, the mixed team proved there’s plenty of potential in the pipeline.
All Eyes Now on Tokyo for the World Championships
After this golden night in China, all South African relay squads have now qualified for the World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo.
And judging by what we’ve just witnessed, there’s plenty of reason to believe they could be in for more podium moments on the global stage.
Their speed, teamwork, and record-breaking performances in Guangzhou were more than just victories — they were a preview of what’s to come.