The team of Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza, Bradley Nkoana and Benjamin Richardson secured South Africa’s place in the men’s 4x100m relay finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics following their impressive qualifying season best time of 38.08 at the World Relays in the Bahamas last May. 

Anchored by the class and experience of Simbine, South Africa was up against it in the final after booking their place with yet another impressive season-best time of 37.94 behind the United States of America (37.47) in the first heat.

The North Americans would later be disqualified in the final, with neighbors Canada (37.50) beating South Africa (37.57 African record) to the finish line to secure gold, while Great Britain closed off the podium places with a season-best time of 37.61.

Injury struck and opportunity knocked

Shaun Maswanganyi was initially not scheduled to form part of the team at the iconic Stade de France, but a hamstring injury to Richardson handed the 24-year-old an opportunity of a lifetime as he was later drafted into the team, and the rest is history.

South Africa ended the games with a decent six medals (one gold, three silver and two bronze medals) and Maswanganyi believes his silver lining moment will live with him forever.

“Truth be told, I was starstruck, just looking back at the moment when Akani crossed the finish line; seeing him bring it home for us was just so surreal for us. Some days I wake up and forget that I have an Olympic medal,” Maswanganyi told SportsBoom.co.za. 

The 24-year-old told SportsBoom that despite the pressure from the occasion, their game plan required them to back up their previous performance leading up to the finals.

“Accomplishing such a huge history for South African sports, it's truly something special and I am grateful to be put in such a situation where we are able to execute everything on the day and that moment will live with me for the rest of my life.”

“Going into the (Olympics) final, I knew we just needed to do some of the things we did in the heats and we would bring a medal back home.”

“There was definitely a lot of calmness in the air because we ran the same team in the heats, so it definitely had a lot more excitement than nervousness.”

The Paris and Tokyo experience

The former under-20 African Championships gold medalist was making his second appearance at the global showpiece, with his debut Games in Tokyo more about settling into the intense competitive environment and learning on the go.

The Soweto-born athlete took a lot of valuable lessons, including having to battle hard on and off the track.

“I enjoyed the Village in Tokyo; the accommodation and food were a lot better. Paris was very tricky even with the basic things like access to water and certain facilities; just the convenience of everything.”

“Even air conditioning. It was very hot in Paris, and you know that your peers from Canada and the USA have such things provided by their federations; it can be something that can throw you off but you know that you came there to compete." 

“Definitely a lot of lessons learned on how to prepare for certain things no matter what the challenge might be. We definitely know what to prepare for in terms of 28 and 32 after that (L.A. Games 2028 and 2032).”

Valuable lessons and upcoming competitions

Maswanganyi currently resides in the USA studying a finance degree at the University of Houston, and he will be taking on new challenges as he builds up to the world championships set to be hosted in Tokyo in September.

“I am still in school, using up my last year of eligibility. We are going to run the European circuit, and it will be my first year there.”

“I will be in contact with Athletics South Africa to find out what my chances are of attending the SA championships.”

“But ultimately I look forward to representing South Africa again at the world championships and going back to Tokyo, and I really feel like a statement needs to be made there."

The impact of Simbine

“It is something I have been doing all my life, and it’s embedded in my DNA at this point. It keeps track and field exciting. If I had to do only one event, I feel like I would get bored.”

“It definitely has a mental aspect to it, which I enjoy, but it can also be frustrating when you're not doing that well and you still have two other events to do, but you find motivation in that you can still leave with good results.”

“Akani has taught me a lot; it goes beyond just being an athlete. He has taught me how to be a good human being; he is a good mentor and he is someone I look up to and I am glad he is as successful as he is.”