South Africa delivered a commanding performance in the women’s 4x400m relay heat at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, setting a new national record with an impressive time of 3:28.01.
The quartet, led by national champion Miranda Coetzee and supported by hurdles specialists Zeney Geldenhuys and Hannah van Niekerk, as well as Shirley Nekhubui, powered through the race with flawless baton exchanges and relentless pace, leaving the field behind.
The South African team’s time of 3:28.01 shattered the previous national record and marked a significant milestone for the country’s relay program. Their dominant run secured an automatic qualification spot for the final and positioned them as serious contenders on the world stage. The squad’s cohesion and depth reflect months of dedicated training and strategic preparation, building on their recent successes at national and continental championships.
In stark contrast, Jamaica finished a distant sixth, trailing South Africa by approximately 12 seconds and struggling to keep pace throughout the race. Jamaica’s uncharacteristically slow time highlights the challenges they faced in this heat, underscoring the rising competitiveness of teams like South Africa. The Jamaican team will need to regroup quickly as the relays continue, while South Africa’s record-breaking performance signals their intent to challenge the traditional sprinting powerhouses in the upcoming final.
With the women’s 4x400m relay final scheduled for May 11, South Africa’s historic heat win has energised fans and athletes alike. Their blend of speed, experience, and teamwork makes them a formidable force as they aim to convert their national record into a podium finish on the global stage.
