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Team SA delivers memorable performance

Flag-bearer Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA) of South Africa leads his contingent during the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Flag-bearer Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA) of South Africa leads his contingent during the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Team SA checks out of the Rio Games village today having delivered one of the country's most powerful Olympic performances of all time.

Comprising stars like Caster Semenya, Wayde van Niekerk and Chad Le Clos, the class of 2016 equalled the nation's highest tally of 10 medals, achieved only twice before, at Helsinki 1952 and Antwerp 1920.

Two gold, six silver and two bronze - not to mention four fourth places - is a dividend that no living South African can remember.

It exceeds the two gold, four silver and four bronze from Finland 64 years ago, and falls short only of the three gold, four silver and three bronze from Belgium almost a century ago.

The only downside in Rio was the gold medal count, which is what determines position on the table.

Team SA was 24th at London 2012 with three gold medals, but they had slipped a few places with two, lying 29th late yesterday.

Top 10 performances:

Wayde van Niekerk (400m gold); Caster Semenya (800m gold); Lawrence Brittain, Shaun Keeling (men's pairs silver); Luvo Manyonga (long jump silver); Chad Le Clos (200m freestyle silver); Cameron van der Burgh (100m breaststroke silver); Chad Le Clos (100m butterfly silver); Henri Schoeman (men's triathlon bronze); Sunette Viljoen (javelin silver) and BlitzBoks (rugby sevens bronze).

l Meanwhile, Lusapho April was SA's best finisher in the marathon yesterday, crossing the line at 24th place in 2:15:24. Sibusiso Nzima finished at a distant 97th in 2:25:33, while Lungile Gongqa did not finish the race. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge took gold (2:08:44).

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