McKenzie hails Team SA after Glasgow haul of 28 Commonwealth Games medals

Team South Africa returned from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with 28 medals, a campaign Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie described as a source of national pride.

Strong overall return and official praise

The South African delegation finished 11th on the medal table after claiming seven gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals.

“Twenty-eight medals, and the remainder of our athletes are still racing tonight. This team went to Glasgow and did us proud,”

McKenzie said, also acknowledging the contribution of coaches, support staff and athletes’ families.

Swimming dominates the medal haul

Swimming produced the bulk of South Africa’s medals, with the squad winning 22 of the country’s 28 medals. Pieter Coetzé emerged as one of the standouts, sweeping the men’s backstroke events and winning gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m races. The source reports he also broke multiple Commonwealth Games records.

Other swimming highlights included Lara van Niekerk defending her women’s 50m breaststroke title, and Aimee Canny and Erin Gallagher each collecting four medals. Michael Houlie, Kaylene Corbett, Olivia Nel and South African relay teams also contributed, with several relays setting African records.

Chad le Clos makes Commonwealth Games history

Veteran swimmer Chad le Clos added to his legacy in Glasgow, leaving the Games as the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete with 21 medals across five editions. McKenzie called Le Clos an athlete who

“will live in the hearts and minds of South Africans forever.”

Historic moments on track and in other sports

Sinesipho Dambile claimed the men’s 200m title in 19.96 seconds, becoming the first South African to win Commonwealth gold in that event. McKenzie noted the result and said,

“It took sixty-eight years. That is how long this country has waited for any medal in that event, and Sinesipho then went out and won the whole thing.”

Donné Breytenbach secured bronze in the women’s under-57kg division, marking South Africa’s first Commonwealth Games podium finish in judo.

Para-athletes and next steps

South Africa’s Para-athletes added five medals to the overall tally. Nathan Hendricks, Christian Sadie, Danika Vyncke and Masala Makatu were among those who reached the podium. McKenzie confirmed his department will host an official reception once the full South African team returns from Glasgow.

McKenzie also thanked families and support staff for their role in the campaign.