Simbine leads SA’s relay attack at the World Championship

Akani Simbine celebrates South Africa’s success in the qualifying round of the 4 x 100 m in Gaborone. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)

A cramp may have stopped Akani Simbine in his own magnificent event in Pretoria on Tuesday, but he wore his jet boots again in Gaborone on Saturday afternoon.

The experienced sprinter flattened his ears in the darts of the 4 x 100 m and South Africa qualified for the finals of this event in the World Athletics Relay Championship in Gaborone.

When Simbine got hold of the baton, he was difficult to stop and Bradley Nkoane started celebrating after his successful handover.

The quartet of Mvuyo Moss, Cheswill Johnson, Nkoana and Simbine won their heat and set the third fastest qualifying time of 37.68 seconds.

Canada (37.56 seconds) and Germany (37.67 seconds) provided the fastest times.

Heat 2: Southern Africans eating up 400M! ???? pic.twitter.com/23dkVY24PP

— afriican requiem (@tonyfcarter) May 2, 2026

Then the speedy Leendert Koekemoer’s excellent run contributed to the 4 x 400 m men’s relay team’s stellar performance.

The former student of Helpmekaar College won the national o. 20 record in the 400m to 44.94 seconds and his effort in Botswana gave Zakithi Nene the perfect foundation to round things off.

South Africa’s final time of 2:58.04 min was the third best in the qualifying rounds.

Leendert Koekemoer was back on his feet. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)

In the 4 x 100 m heats for women, the team of Vivwe Jingqi, Kayla la Grange, Gabriella Marais and Joviale Mbisha set a new national record. However, their time of 43.22 seconds was not good enough for a place in the finals.

Sunday times:

• Second qualifying round for the World Championship starts at 14:02.

16:05: 4 x 100 m (mixed team)

16:13: 4 x 400 m (mixed team)

16:24: 4 x 100m (women)

16:32: 4 x 100 m (mans)*

16:40: 4 x 400m (women)

16:51: 4 x 400 m (mans)*

Marlie Viljoen in action. (Photo: Charmaine Visser)