South Africa's men's 100m and 4x400m relay teams settled for silver medals at the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, on 2 and 3 May. Host nation Botswana claimed gold in the 4x400m men's final, setting a championship record. The event marked Africa's first time hosting the competition.
At the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, Botswana's Lee Eppie, Bayapo Ndori, Letsile Tebogo and Collen Kebinatshipi won the men's 4x400m relay gold in a championship record of 2:54.47. South Africa's Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay, Mthi Mthimkhulu and Leendert Koekemoer took silver with a national record of 2:55.07, despite the home crowd's support.
In the men's 4x100m relay, South Africa's Mvuyo Moss, Cheswill Johnson, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine earned silver in an African record time of 37.49 seconds. The United States won gold in 37.43, with Germany taking bronze. South Africa had relinquished their defending titles from the previous year.
South African teams did not reach finals in the mixed 4x400m, women's 100m and 400m relays. The mixed relay team qualified for the 2027 World Athletics Championships. Absences due to injuries and withdrawals affected the squads, including Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Zenéy Geldenhuys, Miranda Coetzee and Shirley Nekhubui.
SA relay coach Werner Prinsloo noted the blend of youth and experience. "In every team, there is always a mix of experience and young athletes. It’s the same in this case. The older guys will always step in and help the new ones, which is a good thing," he said.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe praised the historic hosting. "The very fact that these relays are coming to Africa for the first time means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to the continent," Coe said.
