Rain fell like a stubborn curtain over Coetzenberg, yet the final day of the Senior Athletics Championships still burned with pace and purpose as Lythe Pillay and Sinesipho Dambile surged to headline victories.
The wet track became a testing arena, a slick ribbon demanding both courage and control. Athletes ran as if chasing lightning across a stormy sky, each stride carving through the drizzle with intent.
Dambile delivered one of the defining moments of the day in the men’s 200m, gliding through the bend before unleashing down the straight to secure his third national title.
His winning time of 20.02s reflected both composure and precision in difficult conditions. As he crossed the line, he raised three fingers on each hand, saluting a growing legacy built in 2022, 2025 and now again in Stellenbosch.
“It is very special man, I have to win it back-to-back to back to back,” Dambile said.
“I’ve seen the consistency of 400m when Wayde was there, I saw the consistency of Akani in the 100m and I’ve actually never seen in the 200m someone being that consistent. I wanted to be that guy and I’m definitely working towards that.”
His run gathered momentum like a train finding full speed, leaving 18-year-old Naeem Jack behind after the bend. Jack clocked 20.34s for second, while Mihlali Xotyeni followed in 20.62s.
If Dambile’s race was a statement of control, Pillay’s 400m triumph was a demonstration of strength under pressure. Running blind in lane six with his main rivals tucked inside, he committed to a bold strategy and held form through the rain to stop the clock at 45.22s.
“The plan was just to execute,” Pillay said.
“I knew that Leendert and Udeme were the two on my inside lane, so I wouldn’t be able to gauge them until either it was too late to the finish or they caught me early on. My plan was just run a bold race, run strong. I know where my strengths are this season and just to bear out the weather.”
Bradley Maponyane chased him home in 45.77s, while Udeme Okon and Leendert Koekemoer settled for third and fourth. Okon’s campaign ended on a worrying note later in the 4x400m relay when he pulled up injured on the final bend, collapsing after handing over the baton.
In the women’s 400m, Marlie Viljoen ran with the calm of an athlete in full command, claiming her first national title in 51.72s after delays at the start. Jada van Staden and Isabella Gunter completed the podium.
“Today was only about running for a gold medal, I wasn’t looking for a time. I’m actually happy with the time in the conditions, but today was only about getting the gold medal,” Viljoen said.
Kayla la Grange added her name to the roll of honour in the women’s 200m, clocking 23.37s in a tightly packed finish ahead of Anastaysha George and Rume Burger.
The women’s 1 500m unfolded like a tactical chess match before turning into a late sprint. Karabo More found another gear over the final 100 metres to deny Prudence Sekgodiso a distance double, winning in 4:11.54. Sekgodiso, fresh from her 800m triumph earlier in the day, took silver in 4:14.38, while Danielle Verster secured bronze.
Over the hurdles, Denmar Jacobs timed his dip perfectly to seize his first national title in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.47s, edging Mondray Barnard, with Antonio Alkana third. In the women’s race, Marione Fourie powered clear despite a slightly delayed start, stopping the clock at 12.69s.
“I’m really happy with the time, I thought it would be slower. I didn’t know I can run a 12.69 in these conditions, it just means that there’s a next level coming up and I hope that I can achieve that,” Fourie said.
In the field, Jana van Schalkwyk launched the javelin to 53.12m for gold, with Marine Grobler and Nicole Barnard following. Danielle Nolte soared to 6.49m in the long jump, Edmund du Plessis defended his 800m title in 1:46.63, and Siboniso Soldaka claimed the 3 000m steeplechase.
Through rain and resilience, the championships closed with performances that cut through the gloom like flashes of brilliance, leaving Stellenbosch echoing with the rhythm of champions in full flight
