South Africa's Men's 4x100m Relay Team Misses World Athletics Championships Final After Re-run in Tokyo

SA Relay Team's Qualification Hopes Dashed in Tokyo

The South African men's 4x100m relay team will not compete in the final of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, after their re-run on Sunday, September 21, 2025, failed to meet the qualifying standard. The team's journey was marked by an initial disqualification, a successful appeal, and a subsequent solo time trial at the Japan National Stadium.

Initial Setback and Successful Appeal

The drama unfolded during the heats on Saturday, September 20, 2025, when the South African quartet experienced a critical incident. During the first baton change, Italian athlete Marcel Jacobs collided with South Africa's Shaun Maswanganyi, leading to a botched handover and the team's subsequent disqualification. The South African contingent, comprising Shaun Maswanganyi, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and Akani Simbine, lodged an appeal against the decision. The appeal was successful, granting them a rare opportunity for a solo re-run to secure a spot in the final.

Re-run Falls Short of Target

For the re-run, held on Sunday morning, the South African team was tasked with achieving a time of 38.34 seconds or faster to match the eighth-placed team, France, and claim the ninth and final spot in the championship race. Despite their efforts, the team recorded a time of 38.64 seconds. This performance, while a valiant attempt under unusual circumstances, was not sufficient to meet the stringent qualification mark, thereby ending their hopes of competing for a medal in the men's 4x100m relay final. The stadium clock reportedly did not initially stop when anchor leg runner Akani Simbine crossed the line, adding to the tension before the official time was displayed.

Team Composition and Broader Context

The team that ran the re-run consisted of Shaun Maswanganyi (first leg, 10.50 seconds), Sinesipho Dambile (second leg, 9.27 seconds), Bradley Nkoana (third leg, 9.68 seconds), and Akani Simbine (anchor leg, 9.19 seconds). This outcome means that South Africa's medal hopes at the championships now largely rest on the men's 4x400m team, who are also in action. The incident highlights the high stakes and fine margins inherent in elite relay competitions.