South Africa’s Sprint Supremacy: Triple Triumph at World Relays
- Karen Scheepers
- May 12
- 3 min read
In a dazzling display of speed and synergy, South Africa’s national relay teams rose to the occasion at the 2025 World Athletics Relays, hosted at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, China, on 10–11 May 2025. This marked the seventh edition of the World Relays and the first time the event was held on Chinese soil, adding a layer of significance to an already prestigious global meet.
South Africa's performance was nothing short of historic. Clinching two gold medals and one bronze, the country not only topped the medal table but also secured qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Their showings included world-leading times, a national record, and a total of $100,000 in prize money. It was a weekend where strategy met spirit, and South African relay teams emerged as the story of the championship.
Men's 4x100m Relay: Lightning Finish Seals Gold
The quartet of Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and Akani Simbine delivered one of the cleanest races of the weekend. A flawless baton exchange set the stage, but it was Simbine’s electric anchor leg, where he held off USA’s Brandon Hicklin by just 0.05 seconds, that turned the race into a classic.
With a time of 37.61 seconds, South Africa posted the fastest mark in the world for 2025, edging out the USA and delivering a clear message: the rainbow nation is a sprinting powerhouse.
Final Standings – Men’s 4x100m Relay:
🇿🇦 South Africa – 37.61 (World Lead)
🇺🇸 United States – 37.66 (Season Best)
🇨🇦 Canada – 38.11
Women's 4x400m Relay: National Record and Bronze Medal
The women’s 4x400m team of Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Precious Molepo, and Zenéy van der Walt brought tenacity and technical precision to the track. Each leg was delivered with calculated aggression and calm under pressure, culminating in a new South African national record of 3:24.84.
Their third-place finish behind Spain and the USA secured not only a bronze medal but also ensured South Africa’s participation at the Tokyo World Championships.
Final Standings – Women’s 4x400m Relay:
🇪🇸 Spain – 3:24.13 (National Record)
🇺🇸 United States – 3:24.72
🇿🇦 South Africa – 3:24.84 (National Record)
Men's 4x400m Relay: Youthful Heroics Deliver World Lead
In arguably the most thrilling relay of the event, South Africa’s men’s 4x400m team, Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer, and Zakithi Nene, claimed gold with a world-leading time of 2:57.50.
The pivotal moment came during the third leg, when 17-year-old Leendert Koekemoer was handed the baton trailing Botswana by a staggering 25 metres. What followed was an inspired and fearless run as the teenager closed the gap, delivering a baton change that put South Africa back in command. Nene then anchored the team with composure and class to secure gold.
Final Standings – Men’s 4x400m Relay:
🇿🇦 South Africa – 2:57.50 (World Lead)
🇧🇪 Belgium – 2:58.19 (Season Best)
🇧🇼 Botswana – 2:58.27 (Season Best)
World Relays 2025 – Medal Table Overview
South Africa emerged as the standout nation in Guangzhou, topping the overall medal standings and outpacing traditional giants such as the United States and Great Britain.
Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
1 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
2 | 🇺🇸 United States | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
3 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
4 | 🇨🇦 Canada | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
4 | 🇬🇧 Great Britain | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
6 | 🇯🇲 Jamaica | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
7 | 🇦🇺 Australia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
7 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
9 | 🇧🇼 Botswana | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
9 | 🇰🇪 Kenya | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 6 | 6 | 6 | 18 |
The Road to Tokyo Is Lit in Green and Gold
With gold medals in both men’s relays and a bronze in the women’s 4x400m, South Africa has stamped its authority on the global relay scene. These results are a testament to the depth of talent, smart coaching, and fearless execution on the track.
As the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo approach, South Africa’s relay teams won’t just be participating, they’ll be chasing podiums. Guangzhou was the proving ground. Tokyo may be the coronation.
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