Team South Africa athletes finished the 2026 Commonwealth Games on a high note, clinching 28 medals - one more than at the 2022 Games in Birmingham.
That placed the team 11th on the final medals table at the multi-sport event in Glasgow, Scotland, which began on 23 July 2026 and ends on 2 August 2026.
“The outstanding performer for Team SA was swimmer Pieter Coetze, who won three individual gold medals in the backstroke and two in the relay. Other gold medals came from Lara van Niekerk (swimming), Nathan Hendricks and Christian Sadie (para swimming) and Sinesipho Dlamini (athletics),” Team SA said on their website.
South Africa secured seven gold medals, 11 silver medals and 10 bronze medals.
On Saturday, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie congratulated Team South Africa on an outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the team started the day with 25 medals.
“This team went to Glasgow and did us proud. They have given it their all, and every single one of them comes home having helped to add another proud chapter to South Africa’s sporting history,” the Minister said in a statement.
A large part of Team South Africa’s delegation arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning.
Although the Minister was unable to welcome the team, he conveyed a message of congratulations to the athletes and officials through the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SASCOC).
“To every young South African who watched these Games: these athletes were once just like you, and you can write your own names into the record books if seeing these achievements lit a fire in your belly.
“And to every South African living with a disability who saw Nathan Hendricks, Christian Sadie, Danika Vyncke and Masala Makatu on that podium – that was a reminder that the focus of life should never be only on what you cannot do, or what may be denied to you, but rather should be on the many things you can do. By overcoming adversity, you inspire someone else facing their own struggles.
“We salute you all as the heroes you are, and I look forward to being with the whole team again soon,” McKenzie said.
The Minister confirmed that the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture would be arranging a formal reception for the full delegation once all athletes had returned from Glasgow. -SAnews.gov.za
