Pillay welcomes Botswana rivalry

Team South Africa 400m athlete, Lythe Pillay, says the rivalry between South African and Botswana athletes is intense but ultimately beneficial for African athletics.

Pillay made the remarks after he and his teammates broke the South African record and moved up to third on the all-time world rankings at the World Relay Championships held in Gaborone, Botswana, over the weekend.

Pillay, alongside team captain Zakhithi Nene, Mthi Mthimkhulu, and youngster Leendert Koekemoer, helped South Africa secure silver in a thrilling race at the global meet on Sunday.

The team clocked 2:55.07, finishing behind hosts Botswana, who won gold in 2:54.47, while Australia claimed bronze in 2:55.20.

The two neighbouring countries, who have now qualified for next year’s World Championships in China, earned prize money of $40 000 and $20 000 respectively for their podium finishes.

Pillay delivered a standout performance, recording the fastest 400m relay split in history at 42.66 seconds, on a memorable day despite Team SA losing their world title to Botswana.

“As much as we have a rivalry with Botswana, it’s a healthy one. Even in the corridor right before the race, the first thing we said was, eish, we still have to fight each other to get that medal,” said Pillay. “I think for us, as countries, we’re actually pushing each other. South Africa, after Wayde pioneered that 400-part for us.”

“We weren’t really seen as a 400 nation, neither was Botswana. Now all of a sudden you have two nations, actually two neighbours, you know, battling it out. And I mean, for us, it’s always a thing of, if it’s not us, it’s you. So I think I ran like a madman.”

Pillay and his teammates are expected to arrive at OR Tambo International Airport at 19:10 on Tuesday.

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari