The 17-year-old, Benjamin Richardson, who is a TuksSport High School learner-athlete impressed by finishing second in a time of 20.77s in the men’s 200m final. It is the first time, he competed in the South African Senior Championships. Nicholas Ferns was third in 20.83s. 

Wenda Nel "bagged" her ninth South African title when she won the women's 400m-hurdles race.

"My biggest goal 'today' was to run an Olympic qualification time, but like I said on Thursday in hurdling, you can't afford to make any mistakes. Unfortunately, I did not execute my ninth hurdle as planned.

"The exciting thing is that after nearly 20 months of not racing, it starts to feel as if the 'rustiness is fading'. My times are more consistent. Hopefully, it is only a matter of time before I qualify for Tokyo." 

Nel won in 55.60s. Zeney van der Walt was second in 56.45s, and Taylon Bieldt third in 56.78s. Since 2009, Nel has only been beaten on three occasions in the 400m-hurdles at the South African Championships.

It took four years, but at long last, Leroux Hamman (Tuks) is again the South African 400m-hurdles champion. What made him extra happy is dipping under 50 seconds for the second time in three days. His winning time was 49.70s.

"It is great to be the champion again. The last time was 2017. I would not have minded being a bit faster. But today was about the title. In athletics, records are constantly broken titles are forever." 

Lindokuhke Gora finished second in 50.26s with Lindsay Hanekom third with a time of 50.86s in the 400m-hurdles.

The Tuks newcomer, Dalene Mpiti, caused an upset winning the women's 400m in 52.78s. Amy Naude was second in 53.65s and Lente Pieterse third in 53.70s. 

A year ago, few would have known who Mpiti is. Her best time of 57.26s was nothing to get excited about. But then she contacted Irma Venter, "begging" her to help. It was the best decision she made. In her first race this season, she ran 52.67s. 

The 20-year-old believes that she could have been faster on the day if it was not for her hamstring.

"This week during training, I could not run a proper bend. So when I lined up for the final, I had definite instructions on how to run. It meant I did not start flat out, but when I realised the pace was picking up on the back straight, I said to myself, you need to wake up. You don't want to be too far back. So I accelerated. 

"To win my first South African title is amazing. Tonight I am going to spoil myself with a pizza. I will eat it all." 

Mpiti's next race will be the World Relays in Silesia. She is part of the national 4x400m mixed relay team.