Pieter Coetze calls for more corporate sponsors to support swimming

By Charles Baloyi
1st September 2025

South African swimming sensation Pieter Coetze has urged more corporate sponsors to come on board and back the sport following his outstanding achievements at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore last month.

Coetze, together with Kaylene Corbett, received financial rewards from headline sponsors Bombela Concessions Company for their medal-winning performances. The 21-year-old star clinched gold in the 100m backstroke and silver in both the 200m and 50m backstroke, reaching all his finals.

He pocketed R30 000 for his gold medal and R20 000 each for his silvers, while his coach Rocco Meiring received R10 000 for the gold, R7 500 for each silver, and R5 000 for Corbett’s bronze.

Coetze hopes such gestures inspire more sponsors to invest in the growth of swimming in South Africa.

"I think it is a great step forward, and something Swimming SA has been trying to do, and has needed for a very long time. To finally have that is awesome, and hopefully that translates into support for younger athletes and travel funding.

"It is a great step, but hopefully this becomes long-term support."

READ: SA relay team backed to shine at World Athletics Championships

The University of Pretoria first-year psychology student told SABC Sport that he was thrilled with his performances in Singapore, particularly after improving from a bronze medal in the previous championships to becoming a world champion this year.

"I am so happy with my performance, it is something I have dreamed about my whole life, and with the support of my family and team, I was able to finally become a World Champion and do it for South Africa.

"We have a World Champion and a Junior World Champion, so the future of swimming looks exciting."

The former Cornwall Hill College matriculant also praised his coach, Rocco Meiring, after he scooped the SA Sports Awards’ Coach of the Year title in Sun City last week. Coetze said he was never in doubt that his mentor would claim the accolade.

Having started high school at Hoërskool Rustenburg before moving to Cornwall Hill College, Coetze is now preparing for his next big assignment — the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. He sees the competition as a crucial step towards building momentum for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

A former training partner of Olympic champion Tatjana Smith, Coetze has set his sights firmly on gold at the Commonwealth Games as he looks to maintain his winning momentum ahead of the next Olympic cycle.