Other News
SA swimmers continue medal surge in Glasgow─── MORGAN PIEK 08:28 Wed, 29 Jul 2026
South Africa’s swimmers continued their outstanding Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow on Tuesday night, claiming another five medals to take the country's swimming tally to 16 with one evening of competition remaining.
It was another memorable session with South Africa celebrating one gold and four silver medals, while several swimmers also booked places in Wednesday night’s finals. Leading the way was Lara van Niekerk, who successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s 50m breaststroke.
The 23-year-old produced another composed performance to win gold in 30.43 seconds, reaffirming her status as one of the world’s premier sprint breaststroke specialists.
Lara van Niekerk successfully defending her title she won in Birmingham in 2022. Photo: TeamSA
The victory was particularly significant after a difficult few years in which Van Niekerk battled illness and other setbacks following her double gold-medal success at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
An emotional Van Niekerk celebrated with her family after the medal ceremony, highlighting just how much the achievement meant after her challenging road back to the top.
South Africa also enjoyed success in the para-swimming events. Danicka Vyncke claimed silver in the women’s S13 50m freestyle, with the University of Pretoria swimmer overwhelmed after securing her first Commonwealth Games medal.
?? Hear from the champion. ??????#TeamSA #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/5MNyN3MagA
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 28, 2026
Nathan Hendricks added another silver in the men’s S13 50m freestyle to continue Team SA’s impressive showing across both the able-bodied and para-swimming competitions.
The mixed 4x100m medley relay team also claimed silver after another polished display.
Veteran Chad le Clos helped the team qualify in the morning heats before Pieter Coetzé, Michael Houlie, Erin Gallagher and Aimee Canny combined to secure second place behind Australia in the final.
Aimee Canny. Photo: TeamSA
The medal carried added significance for Le Clos, as it lifted his career Commonwealth Games tally to 20, equalling the all-time record for medals won by an athlete at the Games. The South African great will have another opportunity to move into sole possession of the record on the final night.
Meanwhile, Coetzé continued to strengthen his reputation as one of the stars of the Games.
The backstroke specialist produced a stunning swim in the semi-finals of the men’s 100m backstroke, breaking the Commonwealth Games record to qualify fastest for Wednesday’s final. Having already won gold in both the 50m and 200m backstroke, he is now on course to complete a rare clean sweep of the three backstroke events.
Ruard van Renen. Photo: TeamSA
Ruard van Renen also qualified for the final, giving South Africa another opportunity for a double podium finish.
Aimee Canny delivered one of the bravest performances of the evening in the women’s 200m individual medley.
The South African led after the butterfly leg before slipping to seventh during the backstroke. Refusing to give in, Canny fought back through a superb breaststroke leg before launching a late charge in the freestyle.
Aimee Canny, Erin Gallagher, Michael Houlie, and Pieter Coetzé. Photo: TeamSA
For much of the final 50m she looked capable of claiming gold, but Australia’s Jenna Forrester produced a strong finish to edge ahead in the closing metres. Canny settled for silver in an excellent 2:09.37, more than one-and-a-half seconds quicker than her morning qualifying time.
With one night of swimming still to come, Team South Africa remains well placed to add to its medal tally.
With Coetzé chasing more history and several swimmers already through to finals, the team has every chance of ending a remarkable Commonwealth Games campaign on another high.
