Akani Simbine Warns Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson After South Africa's World Relays Win

Akani Simbine Warns Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson After South Africa's World Relays Win

Mark Kinyanjui 16:00 - 12.05.2025

Akani Simbine anchored South Africa's 4 x 100m relay team into clinching the World Athletics Relays gold in China.

Akani Simbine has sent a powerful message to sprinting powerhouses after South Africa’s men's 4x100m team booked their spot at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships by clinching the World Athletics Relays Title  with a commanding performance in Guanzhou, China.

The quartet of Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and Simbine clocked a world-leading 37.61 seconds, edging out a strong American side that featured Courtney Lindsey, Kenneth Bednarek, Kyree King, and Brandon Hicklin.

 The USA settled for silver in 37.66 seconds, their season's best, while Canada completed the podium in 38.11.

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It was the final changeover that proved decisive. South Africa’s crisp baton transitions had them in the mix from the outset, but it was Simbine’s anchor — full of composure and explosive drive — that turned the heat on the Americans down the home stretch.

Simbine: I’m Just Proud of the Guys

'We Are Here to Take Over!' - Akani Simbine Warns Noah Lyles' USA, Kishane Thompson's Jamaica following South Africa's World Relays Success
Akani Simbine. Photo. Imago

Speaking after the relay squad's qualification the day before on The Inside Lane, Simbine made it clear that South Africa’s resurgence in sprinting isn’t a fluke—and the world better take notice.

“Yeah man, we had one job to do and that was to qualify for Tokyo  and also get into the final… and just, you know, get a good run with the team,” Simbine said.

“This is our first run in competition together as Team South Africa, and I’m just proud of the guys for actually coming through and getting the stick around.”

Passing the baton cleanly—a crucial detail in relays—was the team’s top priority, and Simbine believes that’s what’s now setting them apart.

“That’s the big thing for us now. We’ve always said that if we can get the stick around, we become a pretty dangerous team—and we’re showing that. We’re sending messages to the world.”

Asked what message their performance had sent to other countries, Simbine didn’t hold back:

“The message has been that the South Africans are here, and sprinting is our thing as well. We’re ready to go. And they must realize—it’s not just me. It’s South Africa, with the young crop that’s coming through.

"We’re going to take over.”

With qualification to Tokyo secured and momentum on their side, South Africa’s sprint relay team is not only rewriting their script—they’re aiming to disrupt the dominance of traditional sprint giants like the USA and Jamaica.

South Africa’s Olympic Silver Medal in Paris

'We Are Here to Take Over!' - Akani Simbine Warns Noah Lyles' USA, Kishane Thompson's Jamaica following South Africa's World Relays Success
Akani Simbine (L) celebrates with teammates on the podium at the Paris Olympics when they won the silver medal in the 4 x 100m relay

South Africa’s men’s 4x100m relay team stormed to a silver medal, setting an African record with a blazing time of 37.57 seconds.

The quartet, comprising Akani Simbine, Shaun Maswanganyi, and the young talents Bradley Nkoana and Bayanda Walaza, delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come.

 In the final leg of the race, Simbine—who had narrowly missed out on a medal in the 100m final just days earlier—unleashed a burst of speed that left fans breathless. 

Passing the other teams in an electrifying sprint, Simbine’s anchor leg was clocked at a staggering 8.78 seconds, sealing the silver medal for South Africa and setting a new African record. 

This incredible achievement also marked South Africa’s first-ever Olympic medal in this event, a historic moment for the country.

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