Coetze wins 200m backstroke at Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Pieter Coetze won his second gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on Sunday night, setting a new record in the 200m backstroke.

It was clear from the start that Coetze was not going to be beaten.

He was ahead from the first stroke and never relented. After 100m, it looked as if the Tuks swimmer was going to come very close to the world record.

His time was 54.47s, but it was not meant to be. Coetze won in 1:24.22.

His time is a Commonwealth Games record. England's Oliver Morgan was second in 1:56.44 and Luke Greenbank (England) third in 1:56.58.

Coetze has now won three medals (2 gold and 1 bronze). He also won three medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

🥇🔥 HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!

Pieter Coetze storms to his second gold medal of Glasgow 2026, smashing the Games record in 1:54.22!

Two golds. Four Games records. One sensational campaign. 🇿🇦#TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Glasgow2026 pic.twitter.com/9A6nVgGjcF — Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 26, 2026

🎙️ Straight from the gold medallist. 🥇#TeamSA #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/ln6tfRuX8M — Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 26, 2026

It was another good night for the South African swimmers.

Aimee Canny was second in the 100m breaststroke and Olivia Nel third in the 100m backstroke.

So far, the swimmers have won nine medals (3 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze).

Canny missed out by a mere 0.12s on winning gold.

She was fastest over the first 50m, swimming 30.67s. However, Scotland's Angharad Evans was stronger over the second 50m and won in 1:06.07. Canny swam 1:06.19.

It's a fight to the wall in the Women's 100m Breaststroke final 🍿🤏

Evans pips Canny to the finish with a stunning comeback 💪

📺 Stream #Glasgow2026 on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw#SSCommonwealthGames pic.twitter.com/LOZkgPCAcP — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 26, 2026

Australia's Sienna Toohey was third in 1:06.42. Tuks-based swimmer Kaylene Corbett was sixth (1:07.61) and Rebecca Meder seventh (1:07.68).

Iona Anderson (Australia) won the 100m backstroke in 58.71s. Kylie Masse (Canada) was second in 58.77s and Olivia Nel (South Africa) third in 1:00.09.

BRONZE MEDAL SECURED! 🥉

Olivia Nel takes home BRONZE for Team SA in the Women's 100m Backstroke Final with a time of 1:00.09s! 🇿🇦🏊‍♀️#TeamSA #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/5VCHuOsawl — Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 26, 2026

LE CLOS FINISHES FIFTH

Canada's Joshua Liendo won the men's 100m butterfly in 50.42s. Matthew Temple (Australia) was second in 50.43s and Ben Armbruster (Australia) third in 50.58.

Chad le Clos finished fifth. His time was 51.49s.

Cameron McEvoy (Australia) won the 50m freestyle in 20.97s, setting a Commonwealth Games record. Flynn Southam (Australia) was second (21.44s) and Jamie Jack (Australia) third (21.47s). South Africa's Calvyn Justus was fifth (22.17s).

Caitlin de Lange (Tuks) qualified for the 100m freestyle final, swimming 55.03s. Australia's Molly O' Callaghan was the fastest (53.29s).

South Africa's Michael Houlie (26.61s) was the fastest in the semis of the 50m breaststroke.

Australia's Sam Williamson was second fastest (26.79s) and Adam Ramsay-Peaty third fastest (26.82s). Chris Smith (Tuks) swam the fourth fastest time (27.01s).