South African athletes impressed across the track and field as Akani Simbine’s new World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting made a successful debut in Pretoria.
Pretoria, South Africa (29 April 2026) – South African athletics had its moment under the lights at Pilditch Stadium last night. The Simbine Classic brought together international stars, rising local talent and fans for the country’s first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting.
While the event attracted some of the biggest names in global athletics, it was the performances from South Africans that had the home crowd on its feet throughout the evening.
Middle-distance star Prudence Sekgodiso delivered one of the standout moments of the night in the women’s 1500m. Sekgodiso produced a powerful late surge with around 250m remaining to break away from the field before storming to victory in a personal best 4:08.93. Behind her, fellow South African Karabo More also impressed with a strong second-place finish in 4:11.90, capping off a memorable evening for local middle-distance running.
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The sprint events also produced fireworks. Although hometown favourite Akani Simbine appeared to pick up a niggle in the men’s 100m final and eased off before the line, the crowd still erupted every time the South African sprint star stepped onto the track.
Earlier in the evening, Simbine had clocked a wind-assisted 9.98 seconds in the heats, the fastest time of the meeting.
For Simbine, the event was about far more than times and results. Speaking after the meeting, he reflected on what it meant to see South Africans embrace the occasion.
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“I’m happy today. It went well. It was a success. We had the kids getting to see their dreams become a reality. We had our athletes running against international stars. I can’t ask for anything more. It was a successful day for athletics in South Africa.”
The atmosphere inside the stadium appeared to leave a deep impression on the Olympic finalist, particularly seeing young supporters cheering from the stands with their handmade signs.
Elsewhere on the track, Tumi Ramokgopa thrilled local supporters with a third-place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.96 seconds against a strong international field.
In the women’s javelin, Jana van Schalkwyk secured second place with a throw of 54.77m behind Olympic champion Sara Kolak.
South Africa also celebrated relay success as both the men (pictured in the title image) and women teams claimed gold. The event marked a major step in bringing world-class competition onto local tracks and giving home athletes the opportunity to compete against elite international opposition in front of South African fans.
Sources: Simbine Classic
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