In his first event at the championships, Le Clos, took the 200m butterfly gold in 1:56.05 to also earn a World Championship A qualifying time.

The 19-year-old Ethan du Preez touched wall more than a second off the pace for the silver medal.

Pieter Coetzé meanwhile came agonisingly close to breaking Gerhard Zandberg's record in the 50m backstroke for men. Coetzé won the gold in a time of 24.36 second, which is just two-hundredths of a second slowe than Zandberg's time he recorded in 2009. On Wednesday Coetzé broke his own South African and African record in the 100m backstroke.

Meanwhile, in the women's 200m individual medley, Rebecca Meder, broke her own national record in a time of 2:11.39. Her time also ensured that she will be heading to the Swimming World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July.

Olivia Nel set a new record in the women's 50m backstroke as she added to gold collection after also winning the 100m backstroke on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old set the new national benchmark at 28.39 in the 50m. It's a record that stood for close to 14 years.

The national champs at the Newton Park Swimming Pool will conclude on Sunday.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport