Schoeman claimed just his second ever international triathlon accolade by winning his first event.

Schoeman beat Britain’s Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonny, to win a career-first World Triathlon Series victory at the season’s Grand Final in Cozumel, Mexico.

The win came in the most dramatic of circumstances with Jonny Brownlee, who was well on his way to the event collapsing due to heat exhaustion during the final kilometre of the race.

Following the race, Schoeman said that he is delighted with the win, but at the same time feels gutted for Brownlee who he felt deserved the win.

"They are from Great Britain and they are not as well adjusted to the heat as some of the other guys," said Schoeman.

"I'm fortunate enough to be a small guy and I handle the heat better, but I feel gutted for Jonny.

"I think he deserved that, but I'm just happy.

"I was running for a medal, but to win is just amazing and I'm so happy about that."

Spain’s Mario Mola came in fifth, but it was enough to see him being crowned as the world champion.

Morgan Piek/OFM News