Familiar duo star for SA in the pool
While Chad le Clos remains a spearhead, South African swimming is looking for a new star to fill Cameron van der Burgh's void.
Cameron Van Der Burgh Men Open 100 LC Meter Breaststroke during day 2 of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials at Kings Park Swimming Pool on December 17, 2017 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
Cameron van der Burgh closed out his career with a bang, while Chad le Clos cemented his place as the best men’s swimmer at the World Short-Course Championships in Hangzhou on Sunday.
Breaststroke specialist Van der Burgh, who had announced his retirement after winning the 100m final earlier in the week, secured another gold medal by successfully defending his 50m title in 25.41 seconds on the sixth and final day of competition at the biennial gala.
Le Clos, meanwhile, secured bronze in the 100m freestyle final in 45.89, pocketing his fourth medal of the showpiece.
Having earned gold in the 100m butterfly, as well as silver in the 50m and 200m butterfly events, he was recognised as the Best Male Swimmer of the championships.
With sprinter Brad Tandy also snatching bronze in the men’s 50m freestyle final, the SA team finished their campaign with a total of seven medals (three gold, two silver and two bronze).
The national squad ended sixth in the standings, with the United States taking top spot in the table with a total of 36 medals, including 17 gold.
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