The South African men’s 4 x 100m relay team cruised into the final of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

On Thursday morning, South Africa, spearheaded by Akani Simbine recorded a season’s best time of 37.94 seconds to finish second in Heat 1 behind the star-studded USA.

America ran a blistering 37.47 seconds to win the Heat, while Great Britain finished in third in 38.08 seconds, while was also a season’s best.

South Africa looked dead and buried going into the final 100m stretch, but a superb run by Simbine ensure they go through to the final with second fastest time in both heats.

The 18-year-old teenager Bayanda Walaza ran lead for South Africa before handing the baton over to the 19-year-old, Bradley Nkoana, for the second 100m.  Shaun Maswanganyi took the team into the back-straight, but the national 100m record holder Simbine as the anchor had to dig deep for the result.

Simbine said Thursday was all about qualifying and then getting the job done in the final.

“I'm just really happy with qualifying for the next round,” said Simbine who narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s 100m sprint.

“I think right now we are in a really good position for tomorrow and we're looking forward to racing. 

“Today was just about qualifying and we did that. Then tomorrow we just have to clean up everything and make sure that we have a good battle in the exchanges throughout and just get the job done.”

The second Heat was won by China who also ran a season's best of 38.24 seconds to edge France, who in turn ran 38.34 seconds.

Canada as earned an automatic qualification in 38.39 seconds.

The two non-automatic qualifiers were Japan with 38.06 seconds and Italy who ran 38.07 seconds for finish fourth and fifth in Heat 1.

The final of the men’s 4 x 100m relay will take place at 19:47 on Friday night.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport