Nathan Hendricks can boast that he won South Africa's first gold medal in the pool at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
He won the 100m freestyle in the S13 class on Friday night. His winning time was 54.54s. The moment he dived in, it was clear that Hendricks would be hard to beat. He covered the first 50m in 26.17s.
Champion moment for #TeamSA at Glasgow 2026. #TeamSA#Glasgow2026#ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/QzD0EnSHNB
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 24, 2026
After this morning's heats, Hendricks predicted he would swim faster in the finals. And with good reason.
"First medal at a senior international competition. I am still in shock. Still does not feel real. Grateful for the opportunity I got," said Hendricks.
Stephen Clegg (Scotland) was second in 55.16s, and Matthew Redfern (England) was third in 56.86s.
South Africa's women's 4x100m relay team (Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher, Olivia Nel) set an African record with a time of 3:38.67. Their effort was good enough to win bronze. Australia won in 3:31.40. England was second in 3:35.66.
BRONZE MEDAL! 🥉🇿🇦
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 24, 2026
Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder, Erin Gallagher and Olivia Nel have claimed BRONZE in the Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay at Tollcross Swimming Centre! The team touched in 3:38.67.
What a performance in the pool tonight! Bring it home, Team SA! 💪💙#TeamSA… pic.twitter.com/qmznasw41q
A few minutes later, South Africa's men's 4x100m relay team (Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Chad le Clos) followed suit, also winning bronze. The result means that Le Clos has won his 19th Commonwealth Games medal, the most by any athlete.
🥉 BRONZE FOR TEAM SA! 🇿🇦
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 24, 2026
Team South Africa has claimed bronze in the Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay, with Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Chad le Clos stopping the clock in 3:13.99.
The medal also marks a historic milestone for Chad le Clos, who has now won 19… pic.twitter.com/pSFPY6vBTM
Australia won in 3:09.49, England was second in 3:11.69, and South Africa was third in 3:13.99.
Fast and faster is how it went when Coetze (Tuks) dived in to participate in the 50m backstroke. In the morning's heats, his time was 24.45s. In the semifinals, his time was 24.29s. Both times, he improved the Commonwealth Games record.
"It's going to be a busy week. So I wanted to start well. To have done what I have done is a great confidence booster. It shows I am in good form," Coetze said afterwards.
Ruard van Renen was the second fastest in the semifinals with a time of 24.56. England's Olivier Morgan was third fastest with a time of 24.65s.
'BIG MATCH TEMPERAMENT'
Erin Gallagher was the second-fastest in the 50m butterfly semifinals, swimming 25.69s. Australia's Alex Perkins set the fastest time, swimming 25.48s
According to Gallagher, she just wanted the first race to be over and done with to get rid of the nerves.
"A lot of people think the Commonwealth Games is just a fun competition, but it is not. I think it is one of the highest competitions you can race in. It brings out your big match temperament."
Jessica Thompson set the fourth-fastest time, swimming 26.02s. Caitlin de Lange (Tuks) was the fifth fastest (26.28s)
Chris Smith (Tuks) qualified for the 100 m breaststroke final, swimming 1:00.43. Michael Houle also qualified for the final in 1:00.03. Adam Ramsay-Peaty (England) was the fastest in the semifinals, swimming 59.19s
Danika Vyncke (Tuks) twice set a new African record in the S13 class 100m freestyle. In the heats, she swam 1:05.13. In the final, she swam 1:04.68. Jenna Jones (Australia) won in 1:03.89.
Hannah Pearse finished ninth (2:12.37) in the 200m backstroke heats. Dune Coetzee was 12th (4:14.93) in the 400m freestyle heats, and Hannah Robertson was 18th (4:19.58).
© TuksSport