Hendricks wins South Africa’s first gold at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Para-swimmer Nathan Hendricks delivered South Africa’s first medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a commanding gold in the Men’s 100m freestyle S13 final.

The 20-year-old, who competed for South Africa at the Paris Paralympics, dominated from the outset in lane five, touching in 54.54 seconds to secure his maiden Commonwealth Games medal – and make it gold. Hendricks turned first at halfway in 26.17 and was never headed as he powered away from the field.

Scotland’s Stephen Clegg took silver in 55.16, while England’s Matthew Redfern claimed bronze in 56.86 to complete the podium.

South African women fall short in S13 freestyle

There was disappointment for Team South Africa in the Women’s 100m freestyle S13 final, where a medal narrowly slipped from their grasp despite a record-breaking performance.

Danika Vyncke, who had qualified strongly from the heats, faded over the last 50 metres and finished fourth. Her time of 1:04.68 nonetheless set a new African record. Team-mate Alani Ferreira, also through from the morning session, placed eighth in 1:06.05.

Earlier in the day, both had advanced from their heats after finishing third in their respective races in the Women’s S13 100m freestyle.

Le Clos targets history in relay final

Attention in the evening swimming session now turns to Chad le Clos, who stands one medal away from becoming the most decorated Commonwealth Games medallist.

The 34-year-old Olympic medallist will have the chance to add to his tally in the Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay final (22:21 SA time), where South Africa line up after qualifying comfortably from the heats.

The quartet of Kris Mihaylov, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen and Le Clos advanced with a time of 3:18.14. Le Clos brought the team home in second place behind Canada, who led the qualifiers in 3:18.11. The final is scheduled for later tonight.

South Africa will also contest the Women’s 4x100m freestyle relay final, with Georgia Nel, Rebecca Meder, Jessica Thompson and Caitlin de Lange named in the line-up.

Strong performances in backstroke and butterfly

South Africa’s swimmers enjoyed a productive morning in the pool, led by Pieter Coetze in the Men’s 50m backstroke.

Coetze won his fifth heat in 24.45, setting a new Games record in the process. Team-mate Ruard van Renen finished second in the same heat in 24.78. The pair emerged as the two fastest swimmers overall and both progressed to tonight’s semi-finals. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

In the Women’s 50m butterfly heats, South Africa secured three semi-final places. Jessica Thompson won her heat in 26.24, while Commonwealth Games silver medallist Erin Gallagher took victory in the following race in 25.70. Caitlin de Lange finished second behind Gallagher in 26.34, ensuring a strong South African presence in the evening session.

In the Men’s 100m breaststroke heats, Michael Houlie clocked 1:00.14 to finish second in his heat, before Chris Smith matched that position in the next race with 1:00.86. Both progressed to the semi-finals as part of the fastest 16.

Mixed fortunes across the pool

There were some near misses in the longer events. In the Women’s 400m freestyle heats, Hannah Robertson and Dune Coetzee each finished seventh in their respective races and did not qualify for the final.

Kris Mihaylov missed out in the Men’s 200m individual medley after placing fifth in his heat, while Hannah Pearse was second in her Women’s 200m backstroke heat but did not advance.

In the Men’s S13 100m freestyle heats, Hendricks had signalled his form early, qualifying second for the final before going on to claim gold.

Para bowls, bowls and basketball results

Away from the pool, South Africa’s para bowls mixed pairs team of Princess Schroeder and Keith Orwell endured a difficult start in Section A of the B2-B3 event. They were beaten 2-0 by Scotland in Round 1 and are set to face Australia in Round 2 later this evening.

In women’s bowls, Jacqui Janse van Rensburg and Thabelo Muvhango lost 2-0 to India in Section B, Round 2 of the women’s pairs.

There was better news in the men’s singles, where Wayne Rittmuller defeated Norfolk’s Mitchell Graham 2-0 in Section B, Round 2.

On the basketball court, Team South Africa’s women’s 3×3 side suffered a heavy defeat in pool play, going down 19-3 to Canada.

Gymnastics and boxing setbacks

In gymnastics, Daniel MacLean finished ninth in the Men’s Artistic Individual Qualification Subdivision 2. He posted a total of 63.600 across his five apparatus, with his best score coming on the floor exercise, where he earned 13.350.

In the boxing ring, Simamkele Damesi exited the Men’s Welterweight (65kg) competition in the Round of 32. He was beaten by Ziggy Agathe of Mauritius, with the bout stopped by the referee (RSC-1).

Tonight’s schedule for Team South Africa

South African interest continues across multiple events in Glasgow this evening (all times SA):

– 20:23 – Women’s 100m freestyle S13 final: Alani Ferreira, Danika Vyncke – 20:30 – Men’s 100m freestyle S13 final: Nathan Hendricks – 20:59 – Men’s 50m backstroke semi-final: Pieter Coetze, Ruard van Reenen – 21:08 – Women’s 50m butterfly semi-finals: Erin Gallagher, Caitlin de Lange, Jessica Thompson – 21:31 – Men’s 100m breaststroke semi-finals: Michael Houlie, Chris Smith – 21:40 – Para bowls Mixed Pairs (B2-B3), Section A, Round 2: Princess Schroeder, Keith Orwell vs Australia – 22:11 – Women’s 4x100m freestyle relay final: Georgia Nel, Rebecca Meder, Jessica Thompson, Caitlin de Lange – 22:21 – Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay final: Kris Mihaylov, Guy Brooks, Ruard van Renen, Chad le Clos

With Hendricks having opened South Africa’s medal account in Glasgow, hopes now rest on Le Clos and a strong relay contingent to add to the tally before the night is out.