Team South Africa Set to Shine at the World Athletics Relays 2025 in Guangzhou, China
Team South Africa has announced a formidable 19-athlete squad for the World Athletics Relays 2025, set to take place on May 10-11 in Guangzhou, China.
This marks the seventh edition of the prestigious event, and for the first time, China will host the global spectacle, welcoming the world’s top sprinters to compete for relay qualification spots at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later that year.
With a rich history in relay events and a talented lineup, South Africa is poised to make a significant impact across their four competing categories: men’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, women’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m.
The men’s 4x100m squad is arguably South Africa’s strongest medal contender, featuring sprinting stalwarts like Akani Simbine, the national 100m record holder, and 19-year-old sensation Bayanda Walaza.
Both athletes have dipped under 10 seconds in the 100m this season—Simbine with a 9.90 at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix and Walaza clocking 9.99 in Pretoria. Joined by Bradley Nkoana, Sinesipho Dambile, Retshidisitswe Mlenga, and Tsebo Matsoso, this team builds on the momentum of their silver-medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Their experience and speed make them a serious threat for gold in Guangzhou, especially as they aim to secure automatic qualification for Tokyo.
South Africa’s relay pedigree is well-documented. The nation shocked the world at the Athens 2004 Olympics when their men’s 4x400m freestyle swimming relay team—comprising Roland Schoeman, Lyndon Ferns, Darian Townsend, and Ryk Neethling—set a world record and claimed gold.
While that triumph was in swimming, the same spirit of teamwork and defiance of expectations permeates the athletics squad today. The men’s 4x400m team, including Gardeo Isaacs and Zakithi Nene, alongside the women’s 4x400m team with athletes like Miranda Coetzee and Zenéy Geldenhuys, brings depth and versatility. The mixed 4x400m squad, featuring talents like Shirley Nekhubui, adds another dimension to South Africa’s campaign.
The World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou will be held at the Tianhe Stadium, a venue known for hosting major sporting events like the 2010 Asian Games. This two-day competition will feature 4x100m and 4x400m relays for men and women, as well as the mixed 4x400m, with over 800 athletes from 50 nations expected to participate.
The event not only offers a qualification pathway but also a $40,000 prize for each winning team, adding extra incentive.
Guangzhou, a bustling metropolis with a growing sports culture, provides a vibrant backdrop, though teams will need to adapt to the humid May weather, which could challenge endurance and baton exchanges.
South Africa’s chances in China look promising, particularly in the men’s 4x100m, where Simbine and Walaza’s form could outpace global rivals like the USA and Jamaica. However, seamless baton handoffs and strategic lane positioning will be crucial in the high-stakes relay format.
With the nation rallying behind them under the hashtag #TeamSA, this squad is ready to fly the flag high and cement their legacy on the global stage.
