By Adnaan Mohamed
South Africa’s premier swimmers are ready to dive into deep waters as the Bombela Concession Company SA National Swimming Championships splash into action in Gqeberha from 14–18 April.
With national titles up for grabs and coveted qualification spots for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow hanging like a finish-line touchpad, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Hosted at the Newton Park Swimming Pool, the five-day meet forms the heartbeat of the domestic season, where dreams either glide forward or sink beneath the surface. For many, its about striking the right rhythm to secure selection for Team SA.
Leading the surge is backstroke ace Pieter Coetzé, who arrives riding a wave of momentum after a clean sweep at the China Open. The University of Pretoria star has been slicing through the water with the precision of a well-timed tumble turn.
“With China going very well, I think it was a good indicator that I’m on track to perform well at Nationals and see if I can build on that for the rest of the season. It was a good place to start,” said Coetzé.
“I’m hoping to just get some good performances on the board and obviously qualify for the team. But just improving on my performances in China and my performances in previous years at Nationals will be something that I’ll be happy with for Nationals this year.
“It is just a qualification competition, so I’m not hoping to peak or anything like that. I just want to get the job done and make the team.”
Coetzé’s programme includes the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, alongside the 50m and 100m freestyle.
Veteran campaigner Chad le Clos is also back on the blocks, targeting a remarkable fifth Commonwealth Games appearance. Like a seasoned swimmer pacing a long race, he is balancing confidence with caution after limited long-course racing since the Olympics.
“I’m really excited for next week. I haven’t swum many long-course races since the Olympics. I think I’ve only done one. So, I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie,” admitted Le Clos.
“But I feel good and confident, as I always do. I’m definitely ready as I’ve had a good build-up, and everything’s gone really well.
“I’m feeling really confident for the butterfly. It’s just naturally what I’m pretty good at. I’ve been working on my speed and my power, and I’m the strongest I’ve ever been physically in the gym. Hopefully, that will translate.”
Le Clos will contest the 50m and 100m butterfly, as well as the 50m freestyle.
In the women’s ranks, Lara van Niekerk returns with quiet assurance, her stroke efficiency honed to razor sharpness.
“It’s been going well, taper has been good, sharpening up on all the little things,” she said.
“I’m hoping to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and just enjoy myself and execute my race plans as best I can.”
She lines up in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, where she will face fierce competition from Rebecca Meder and Kaylene Corbett. Meder, fuelled by unfinished business after illness at last year’s World Championships, is approaching the meet with renewed hunger.
“My training has been going really well,” said Meder. “We’re looking forward to Nationals. Obviously, eyes are set on the Commonwealth Games, so Nationals is just getting the work done and trying to secure my spot on that team and put some solid times on the database.
“Commonwealth Games is a very big one in my eyes this year, especially after last year’s world champs. I think it was a bit of a bitter taste after world champs, knowing how on-form I was, but then unfortunately getting sick 12 to 24 hours before that 200 breaststroke with the gastro bug that the Americans brought in.
“I was really disappointed and walked back feeling quite unsatisfied… I feel like this year I’m fired up and ready to go for Commonwealth Games. I’m hungry and I am really wanting to achieve well there.”
Also in the mix are Erin Gallagher, Jessica Thompson and Chris Smith, each aiming to carve their own lane to Glasgow.
The Para ranks add further depth, led by Christian Sadie, whose performances continue to ripple across the continent.
“I’ve been really happy with the progress that I’ve been making in the past year since coming back from world champs,” said Sadie.
“We changed a few things going into world champs last year and I think we’re reaping the benefits now of being able to tune them quite well.
“I did get a little bit sick, and I was a little bit worried because I was out for about two weeks with Covid, but I think I bounced back a lot quicker than I thought I would. So I’m actually really looking forward to Nationals. I’m feeling really good in the water.”
Team Sheets (Selected Entries)
- Pieter Coetzé: 50m, 100m, 200m Backstroke; 50m, 100m Freestyle
- Chad le Clos: 50m, 100m Butterfly; 50m Freestyle
- Lara van Niekerk: 50m, 100m Breaststroke
- Rebecca Meder: 200m Individual Medley; 50m, 100m, 200m Breaststroke
- Kaylene Corbett: Breaststroke events
- Erin Gallagher: Sprint freestyle/butterfly
- Jessica Thompson: Sprint backstroke
- Chris Smith: Breaststroke
- Christian Sadie: 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley
Heats begin daily at 9:30am, with finals diving in at 5pm.
