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Coetze unstoppable as he enjoys another golden night in Glasgow─── MORGAN PIEK 07:58 Mon, 27 Jul 2026
Pieter Coetze continued to cement his status as one of world swimming’s brightest stars after claiming his second gold medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday evening.
Having already dominated the men’s 50m backstroke, the 22-year-old South African added the 200m backstroke title to his growing medal collection at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre. His latest triumph also spearheaded another outstanding evening for Team South Africa, who collected three more medals to continue their impressive campaign.
Coetze now heads into the 100m backstroke as the overwhelming favourite, with the opportunity to complete a rare golden hat-trick in all three backstroke events.
Pieter Coetze. Photo: Anton Geyser
The South African wasted no time asserting himself in the 200m final, blasting through the opening half of the race in 54.47 seconds, a split that briefly had him under world-record pace.
Although the gruelling second half began to bite, Coetze had already done enough damage to the field. He touched the wall in a Commonwealth Games record time of 1:54.22, finishing an emphatic 2.22 seconds ahead of England’s Oliver Morgan. There was never any real threat to his victory.
Afterwards, Coetze explained his aggressive race plan had been carefully calculated.
“I definitely felt the pain over the second half, but that was always the strategy,” he said.
“I wanted to go out hard and force everyone else to chase me. I would’ve liked to hold on a little better, but winning major championship races isn’t always about swimming your fastest time.
“I’m trying to become more comfortable going out quickly and holding that speed because hopefully that will help me break the world record one day.”
Another standout performer for South Africa was Aimee Canny, who collected a memorable silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke.
It's a fight to the wall in the Women's 100m Breaststroke final ????
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) July 26, 2026
Evans pips Canny to the finish with a stunning comeback ??
?? Stream #Glasgow2026 on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw#SSCommonwealthGames pic.twitter.com/LOZkgPCAcP
Canny touched the wall in 1:06.19 to earn her first senior individual medal at an international championship, while teammates Kaylene Corbett (1:07.61) and Rebecca Meder (1:07.68) finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Having only recently switched her focus to breaststroke, the 22-year-old admitted she is beginning to embrace her new speciality.
“I think I can officially call myself a breaststroker now,” she smiled.
“I’m incredibly happy with that performance. I probably got a little excited during the opening 50 metres and paid for it over the closing stages, but this is my first senior international individual medal, and I’m really proud of it.”
Bronze in the Women's 100m Backstroke ??
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) July 26, 2026
Olivia Nel adds another medal to South Africa's tally ??????#SSCommonwealthGames | #Glasgow2026 pic.twitter.com/0KLcxfY4Qa
“The 100m breaststroke is still a fairly new event for me, so hopefully I can keep building from here.”
Olivia Nel produced one of the surprise moments of the evening after claiming a well-deserved bronze medal in the women’s 100m backstroke. Swimming from lane two, Nel clocked 1:00.09.
Michael Houlie also produced a strong performance by finishing ahead of British breaststroke icon Adam Peaty-Ramsay in the semi-finals of the men’s 50m breaststroke. The South African qualified fastest for Monday’s final and will occupy the centre lane, with Peaty-Ramsay alongside him.
