Team SA swimmers helped push the country’s medal tally to 16 on day 5 of the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday.
Lara van Niekerk claimed her second Commonwealth Games gold, winning the women’s 100m breaststroke final.
Fellow South African and Olympic champion Tatjana Schoenmaker took silver.
Tati & Lara❤️❤️🇿🇦🇿🇦. #TeamSA #B2022 pic.twitter.com/Px3AKcK52L
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 2, 2022
Pieter Coetze added to the medal tally as he claimed bronze in the men’s 200m backstroke final.
This is Coetze’s third medal in Birmingham after his gold in the 100m and silver in the 50m backstroke.
"Being part of Team SA has been amazing. I’ve learnt from them every day. Paris 2024 is the main focus and everything else is a stepping stone. I’ll go back home and see what Rocco and I can do to bring back Olympic gold in 2024.” – Pieter Coetzehttps://t.co/GQo1Lehp36
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 2, 2022
Chad le Clos failed in his bid to become the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time as he finished fourth in the men’s 100m butterfly final.
Still a Mzansi great @chadleclos ❤️🏊♂️. #TeamSA #B2022 pic.twitter.com/X3x7bktBha
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 2, 2022
South Africa nearly picked up another medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay with Pieter Coetze, Lara van Niekerk, Chad le Clos and Aimee Canny competing, but ended up finishing in 4th.
South Africa now has 6 gold medals, 5 silver and 5 bronze.