Team SA men’s 4x100m relay team given second chance

On the penultimate day of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Team SA Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ane du Plessis and the strong relay squads competed.

Du Plessis secured fourth place in the final with a best throw of 63.06m.

Handed a lifeline

South Africa’s men’s 4x100m relay team received a lifeline after a collision with Italy during the first baton change prevented them from finishing their heat.

The referee granted the quartet a solo time trial at 03:33 (SA time) on Sunday morning after a successful appeal.

If Shaun Maswanganyi, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and Akani Simbine run 38.34 or faster, they will claim the ninth spot in the final scheduled for 14:20 (SA time).

The team must keep the same line-up and running order as in the original race, and the ruling does not affect the eight teams already qualified.

So far, Team South Africa has endured a forgettable championship without winning a medal.

SATURDAY ACTION

Men’s 4x400m, heats: South Africa (Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Lythe Pilay) won their heat in 2:58.81 to qualify for the final as fourth fastest.

Women’s 4x400m, heats: South Africa (Shirley Nekhubui, Marlie Viljoen, Hannah van Niekerk and Zeney van der Walt)) finished 7th in their heat in 3:28.14 and missed out on a place in the final.

Women’s shot put, qualification: Mine de Klerk achieved a distance of 17.39m which left her outside of the final in 24th place overall, while Ashley Erasmus (30th with 16.90m) and Colette Uys (32nd with 16.68m) also didn’t progress to the final

Women’s javelin, FINAL: Jo-Ane du Plessis finished 4th with a best throw of 63.06m.