Cameron van der Burgh qualifies after a nervous start

11 August 2018 - 22:05
By David Isaacson in Durban
Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa after the semi final of the mens 100m breaststroke during the evening session of swimming on day 2 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Optus Aquatic Centre on April 06, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.
Image: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa after the semi final of the mens 100m breaststroke during the evening session of swimming on day 2 of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Optus Aquatic Centre on April 06, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.

Cameron van der Burgh finally swung into action at the SA short-course championships in Durban on Saturday, his first taste of racing since returning from honeymoon three weeks ago. 

Van der Burgh admitted he had a few anxious moments after missing the world championship qualifying mark for the 100m breaststroke in the morning heats.

But he made no mistake in the evening final as he surged to victory in 57.63sec to secure his spot with the 50m breaststroke still to come on Sunday. 

“I was a little nervous after the morning,” a beaming Van der Burgh said afterwards, adding he had to start putting in the hard work for the international showpiece in China from December 11-16. 

Tatjana Schoenmaker delivered her fourth qualifying time of the gala as she broke Suzaan van Biljon’s 10-year-old SA 100m breaststroke record, clocking 1min 05.12sec. 

She’s done two times in the 200m breaststroke and two in the shorter race. 

And Erin Gallagher qualified in her third event as she added the 100m individual medley to the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle. 

With the gala ending on Sunday, 10 swimmers have qualified so far, six men and four women.