South Africa finally got their 4x100m relay team going, with the fast foursome of Henricho Bruintjies, Emile Erasmus, Anaso Jobodwana and Akani Simbine winning the silver medal with a new national record at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
The quartet produced the goods on the night in Gold Coast, with newly crowned 100m champion Simbine carrying the baton over the line in second place in a time of 38.24 seconds.
The team shaved 0.11 seconds off the previous SA relay record set by Simon Magakwe, Bruintjies, Simbine and Ncincilili Titi four years ago.
This is South Africa’s first medal at a major event since the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, where the quartet of Morné Nagel, Corné du Plessis, Lee-Roy Newton and Mathew Quinn won gold.
Well done to these history makers 🔥🔥 sliver medalists 🥈🥈”THE MEN IN GREEN” @_ambitious_jay @AkaniSimbine @KINGBRUINTJIES @Erasmus_Emile11
— Clarence Munyai (@clarence_munyai) April 14, 2018
Simbine had it all to do with England and Australia in front, and with Jamaican Yohan Blake receiving his baton practically at the same time as the South African.
Blake, who was on his inside was no match for Simbine’s speed, he chased down the Aussie and was gaining on England’s Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, but was just pipped on the line.
England clocked 38.13, with Jamaica third in 38.35.
“I still want to see if there is a replay on, but I know I chased those guys down and we were pretty far behind,” Simbine said.
SILVER!!! A great run from @AkaniSimbine @KINGBRUINTJIES @Erasmus_Emile11 and @_ambitious_jay clocking a new SA RECORD of 38.24 and claiming 2nd in the 4x100m!!! #GC2018Athletics
— Mathew Quinn (@MatTMQ) April 14, 2018
“All that was in my head was ‘just get in front, just get in front, just catch’ and I remember seeing Blake coming up and I said, ‘no ways is he going to get me this time’.
“I moved and I was getting close to Harry of England and was just 10 metres, but it didn’t come. I am just really happy that we could get a medal for South Africa.”
@ockertde