How to watch Wayde van Niekerk live on 4-5 May at the World Athletics Relays 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas

South Africa will have a fighting chance to challenge for a medal now that Van Niekerk has committed to the relay team joining rising stars Zakithi Nene and Lythe Pillay.

Pillay recently became the second-fastest South African in the 400m behind Van Niekerk winning the national championships in a new personal best of 44.31 seconds. All three men are expected to feature in the one-lap sprint at Paris 2024 after setting Olympic qualifying times.

Forming the chore of the South African 4x400m team, the trio will be looking to add another chapter to the country’s successes in the relay on the global stage.

Former national record holder Arnaud Malherbe, Jopie van Oudtshoorn, Hendrik Mokganyetsi, and Adriaan Botha earned an upgrade from fourth place to a bronze medal from the 1999 World Championships in Seville. The foursome received a retrospective bronze medal 10 years later when the United States was disqualified. Antonio Pettigrew admitted to doping during that period.

A South African quartet which included former world 400m hurdles bronze medallist LJ van Zyl won the silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Republic of Korea.

The World Relays also serves as a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 where the finalists in each event will obtain Olympic quotas. The top two teams in each heat on the opening day will advance to the final on day two.

South African athletes at the World Athletics Relays 2024

• Men’s 4×100 metres relay – Clarence Munyai, Bradley Botshelo Nkoana, Benjamin Richardson, Rivaldo Roberts, Akani Simbine, Tshepo Jason Tyantini, Bayanda Walaza.

• Men’s 4×400 metres relay – Gardeo Isaacs, Wiaan Martin, Mthi Mthimkulu, Zakithi Nene, Antonie Matthys Nortje, Lythe Pillay, Tumisang Shezi, Wayde van Niekerk.

• Mixed 4×400 metres relay – Zenéy Geldenhuys (W), Rogail Joseph (W), Mthi Mthimkulu (M), Amy Naude (W), Shirley Nekhubui (W), Antonie Matthys Nortje (M).