Hezekiel Sepeng confident Bayanda Walaza and Bradley Nkoana can win at U20 World Champs

South African teenage stars Bayanda Walaza and Bradley Nkoana have the chance to make history by winning major international medals in the 4x100m relay, both as juniors and seniors within the same year.

The relay team will compete in the heats on Friday at 8.05 pm, local time, with the final scheduled for 12:50 a.m. if they advance to Saturday's grand finale.

Sepeng is certain that South Africa will secure a podium finish in the relay over the weekend.  

Sepeng cautioned the duo not to become complacent after their silver medal win at the Olympic Games.

READ: Hezekiel Sepeng pleased with the team’s Olympics performance

“They need to refocus and remember they’re at the Under-20 level. We still have strong competition from the USA, Jamaica, and Great Britain, who dominate the sprints. Despite winning silver medals, it’s important for them to stay grounded and recognize that their journey isn’t over. Winning an Olympic medal is a significant achievement, but their immediate goal should be to perform well in this year’s championships. Next year, they will transition to the senior level, and it will be a tough challenge for both Bayanda and Bradley,” Sepeng told SABC Sport.

“We’ve already secured an Olympic medal, and now the goal is to bring home a gold medal. The 4x100m junior relay team has even faster athletes and is exceptionally talented. In Cali, we won the relay but were disqualified when one of our runners stepped out of the line. Currently, South African juniors are dominating, and we are determined to continue this success. With the World Championships and the World Relay Championships coming up next year, this is the perfect opportunity for Bayanda and Nkoana to shine and make our country proud. I am confident they will inspire the relay team this weekend,” Sepeng added.