GLASGOW – Team South Africa began their 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign with three medals on Friday night, with para-swimmer Nathan Hendricks claiming the nation’s first gold and both the men’s and women’s 4x100m freestyle relay teams clinching bronze at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Hendricks led from start to finish in the visually-impaired S13 100m freestyle. “This is my first senior medal and I’m ecstatic,” he said. “This gold is a gift from me to those who have helped me along the way.”

The men’s relay bronze proved historic for Chad le Clos, who became the greatest Commonwealth Games male athlete in history with his 19th medal across five editions of the Games. Le Clos anchored the team alongside Pieter Coetze, Guy Brooks and Ruard van Renen, recording a split of 48.29.

“I couldn’t have done it without the boys, everyone pulled their weight tonight,” said Le Clos. “I’m obviously delighted to get medal number 19, and it’s something I’ve been chasing for eight years. My dad was in tears, it’s all very emotional.”

The bronze came 5 772 days after his first Commonwealth Games medal in New Delhi in 2010. The women’s 4x100m freestyle quartet added the third bronze to complete a memorable opening evening.

Saturday’s programme offers multiple medal opportunities. Coetze and van Renen qualified as the fastest two swimmers for tonight’s men’s 50m backstroke final at 20:49. Coetze lowered the Commonwealth Games record to 24.45sec in the heats before improving to 24.29 in the semi-finals, continuing his dominance after winning three backstroke medals in Birmingham in 2022.

Erin Gallagher leads a three-strong South African contingent in the women’s 50m butterfly final at 20:55, joined by Jessica Thompson and Caitlin de Lange. Gallagher qualified second fastest.

Michael Houlie and Chris Smith will contest the men’s 100m breaststroke final at 22:04, whilst the mixed 4x100m freestyle team could challenge for medals at 22:11.

Beyond the pool, the netball team face Malawi in a Pool A encounter at 22:00, whilst the women’s gymnastics team of Caitlyn Rooskrantz, Naveen Daries, Zelme Daries, Karma Visagie and Buhle Nhleko compete in the team final and individual qualification at 19:20.

Para lawn bowls pair Princess Schroeder and Keith Orwell have matches against England and Wales, whilst Wayne Rittmuller competes in men’s singles lawn bowls against Tonga’s Liam Hill at 21:40.

Team South Africa compete in six sports on Saturday with realistic medal possibilities across swimming and potential podium finishes in other disciplines.

Tonight’s programme (SA times)

19:20 Gymnastics: Women’s team final and individual qualification
20:16 Swimming: Women’s 100m backstroke semi-finals (Olivia Nel, Jessica Thompson)
20:26 Swimming: Men’s 50m freestyle semi-finals (Calvyn Justus, Guy Brooks)
20:49 Swimming: Men’s 50m backstroke final (Pieter Coetze, Ruard van Renen)
20:55 Swimming: Women’s 50m butterfly final (Erin Gallagher, Jessica Thompson, Caitlin de Lange)
21:15 Swimming: Men’s 100m butterfly semi-finals (Ruard van Renen, Jardon Eaton, Chad le Clos)
21:40 Lawn bowls: Men’s singles (Wayne Rittmuller vs Tonga); Para lawn bowls mixed pairs (Princess Schroeder, Keith Orwell vs Wales)
21:55 Swimming: Women’s 100m breaststroke semi-finals (Rebecca Meder, Aimee Canny, Kaylene Corbett)
22:00 Netball: Pool A (Team SA vs Malawi)
22:04 Swimming: Men’s 100m breaststroke final (Michael Houlie, Chris Smith)
22:11 Swimming: Mixed 4x100m freestyle final (Team SA)

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