South African swimmers add three more medals to the table in Birmingham

South African swimmers added three more medals to the team haul on the penultimate night of competition at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Lara van Niekerk led the way by adding a second gold to her collection – this time in the 100m breaststroke.

The 19-year-old led from start to finish to claim victory over compatriot and Olympic silver medallist, Tatjana Schoenmaker, in a personal best time of 1:05.47.

Schoenmaker took the silver in 1:06:68 and Australian Chelsea Hodges the bronze in 1:07:05 with South Africa’s other swimmer in the final, Kaylene Corbett, finishing seventh in 1:07:62.

“I tried to swim with a comfortable stroke. I felt really good on the first 50 and knew Tatjana was going to come back at me in the second 50,” said Van Niekerk afterwards.

“It’s always like that. I was trying to keep going. I died a bit in the last 25 but the crowd kept me going and gave me extra adrenaline.”

Later in the evening, 18-year-old Pieter Coetzé completed his collection of medals, adding a 200m backstroke bronze to the 100m gold and 50m backstroke silver already won in Birmingham. He swam a sensational final 50m to move from sixth place at the turn to secure the bronze in 1:56:77, with England’s Brodie Williams claiming gold in 1:56:40.

“I normally try to save a little bit for the last 50,” said Coetzé. “It’s been something that I’ve tried to change because sometimes I find myself a bit too far back or I leave it too late like I did tonight. But I think it was good. I don’t think I’ve ever come back that fast. To come that close to winning after turning sixth was great and I can’t complain about that.”

Two-time defending champion Chad le Clos was devasted to miss out on a medal in the 100m butterfly. He finished fourth in the race in 51:61 as Canadian Joshua Liendo Edwards took the gold in 51:24 and England’s James Guy and Australian Matt Temple shared the silver after both finished in 51:40.

Michael Houlie also missed out on a podium spot in the 50m breaststroke. He flew off the blocks quickest but was out-touched at the finish to end fourth in 27:36, with home favourite Adam Peaty making up for missing out on a medal in the 100m event by taking gold in 26:76.

Aimee Canny finished sixth in the 100m freestyle final in 54:88 with Michaela Pulford also taking sixth place in the 800m freestyle in 8:44:77.

She later joined forces with Van Niekerk, Coetzé and Le Clos in the 4x100m mixed medley relay at the end of the night, but the quartet also missed out, finishing fourth behind winners Australia in 3:44:38.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Meder progressed through her 50m backstroke semi-final, finishing fourth in 28:69 to book a spot in Wednesday’s final. Olivia Nel was fifth in the same race in 28:73.

“I’m happy with that,” said Meder. “I’ve got a lane, I’ve got a chance and I’m privileged to be here. My goal was to make a 200 IM final and I’ve gone over and above that.”

Clayton Jimmie finished sixth in his 50m freestyle semi-final in 22:62. He did not progress to the final, but was thrilled with his performance.