Tshepo Tshite explains early season form after winning Simbine Classic

By Charles Baloyi
29th April 2026

After winning the inaugural Simbine Classic, a Continental Tour Silver Challenger meeting at Pilditch Stadium on Tuesday, South African middle-distance star Tshepo Tshite has opened up about his strong start to the season and his plans going forward in an interview with SABC Sport.

Tshite crossed the finish line in the men’s tactical 3000m race in 7.54.05 ahead of Luan Munnik (7.54.49) and Anis Chott (7.56.33) to round off an incredible two weeks of racing.

The North West-born runner credited his coach, Samuel Sepeng, for guiding his progress, saying their 2026 plan is already paying off.

Tshite has been in top form, breaking two national 3000m indoor records, setting a personal best in the 10km, and winning the national 1500m title in Stellenbosch two weeks ago.

He says everything is going according to plan and believes this is just the beginning. Tshite has now set his sights on stepping up to the 5000m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the African Championships in Ghana, ruling out a return to the 1500m for now.

"So far everything is aligning according to our plan, and then there's also the hope that my body doesn't break down. The next plan is to qualify with 5000m, and if I do that I will go to the Commonwealth games."

READ: Prudence Sekgodiso clocks PB to win inaugural Simbine Classic

The 2024 Paris Olympian said he was pleased with his victory, which earned him R50 000. He also praised Luan Munnik, who pushed him hard throughout the race and forced him to dig deep for the win in front of a capacity crowd in his adopted hometown.

"I'm really happy with the victory, and I'd like to thank Munnik for the fight that he put up. I just had to be patient because I knew that I have a good last 100m, that's why I was patient. There's nothing that he did wrong."

The 29-year-old, who is planning to move to road running in the next two years, admitted he would have liked to compete against top middle-distance runner Ryan Mphahlele. However, he was still satisfied with the level of competition at the event.

Tshite, who is based at the University of Pretoria, said local athletes have long hoped for competitions like the Simbine Classic to be hosted in South Africa, describing the event as special and memorable.