South Africa’s relay stars chase redemption and glory in Gaborone

South Africa’s elite sprint units are heading to the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone this May with a dual mission: defending their global crowns and banishing the ghosts of a heartbreaking World Championships in Tokyo.

Despite their status as Olympic silver medallists, the men’s 4x100m quartet of Shaun Maswangani, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and Akani Simbine endured a nightmare in Japan. After being impeded in their heat, the team failed to finish. A subsequent appeal granted them a rare solo time-trial to qualify for the final, but their time of 38.64 fell agonisingly short of the 38.34 target.

Now, the squad is bolstered by the return of teenage sensation Bayanda Walaza. The Olympic silver medallist was instrumental in the team’s gold-medal run at last year’s World Relays in Guangzhou but was sidelined from the Tokyo showpiece due to injury.

The 4x400m contingent arrives in Botswana with equal pedigree. After taking gold in China, the quartet of Lythe Pillay, Udeme Okon, Zakithi Nene, and the legendary Wayde van Niekerk secured a bronze in Tokyo – ending an eight-year medal drought for South Africa at the World Championships. 

Nene, currently ranked fifth in the world over 400m, believes the team is peaking at the right time, even if the spotlight is elsewhere.

"We are the defending world relay champions and we want to defend (our title). I think as much as it must seem that we have a target on our backs, given that we are the defending champions, but I think with the form and shape that the guys showed at worlds, we might be considered the underdogs," the one-lap star told Independent Media Sport exclusively at training in Durban this week. 

For Nene, the short trip to Gaborone offers a distinct psychological advantage.

"Given that it's in Botswana, it feels like another home meet. I've raced in Botswana a couple of times and really feel like the reception we get from the fans makes it feel homely ... We're also treating it like our home championship," he said. 

"We're excited for the battle. We know the American are going to bring their A-game. The Belgians, you can never discount them as well as Great Britain, but the guys are ready to fight and I'm ready to fight too."

Off the track, Nene remains a staunch advocate for the discipline. Alongside coach Victor Vaz at Fast Feet Track Club, he is currently working to revitalise school relay competitions across KwaZulu-Natal to ensure the next generation of South African speedsters is ready for the world stage.

ASA preparation squad for World Athletics Relays in Botswana:

Men:

4x100m: Shaun Maswanganyi, Gift Leotlela, Akani Simbine, Sinesipho Dambile, Bayanda Walaza, Karabo Letebele, Bradley Nkoana, Tsebo Matsoso, Retshidisitswe Mlenga, Abduraghmaan Karriem.

4x400m: Wayde van Niekerk, Lythe Pillay, Zakithi Nene, Gardeo Isaacs, Leendert Koekemoer, Udeme Okon, Tumisang Shezi, Mthi Mthimkulu, Antonie Matthys Nortje.

Women:

4x100m: Hannah Hope Vermaak, Joviale Mbisha, Gabriella Marais, Chardone Smidt, Leonette Vosloo, Viwe Jingqi

4x400m: Shirley Nekhubui, Zeney van der Walt, Hannah van Niekerk, Miranda Coetzee, Marlie Viljoen, Tamzin Thomas, Precious Molepo.