Udeme Okon downplays absence of Wayde van Niekerk at World Relays

The former Olympic champion has been replaced by Bradley Maponyane, who joins Okon, team captain Zakhithi Nene, Lythe Pillay and Leendert Koekemoer in the SA 4x400m squad. 

Team South Africa will line up in heat two as defending champions against Senegal, Germany, Portugal, China, Zimbabwe and Kenya at the World Relay Championships in Gaborone this afternoon, and Okon says the team is confident of a podium finish.

"Honestly, I don't think we have any pressure, we are very grounded as a team – all of us. Obviously it's going to be Zak [Nene] at the moment because he's more experienced than all of us, he's been to these championships and competing on this stage.

"So no pressure towards us, Wayde is just like that final piece of the puzzle but we know that in his absence we are able to go out there and compete, and get the gold."

READ: Don't underestimate us - Kayla La Grange

The junior 4x400m world silver medallist, who was also part of the gold medal-winning senior team in China two years ago, has never missed out on a medal when representing South Africa and believes his experience will help guide the team. 

"It's a good experience, obviously, working as teammates, we're going to compete against each other to show who's the best in South Africa," he added.

"But, I mean, when we come and work as a team, it's just quality all around and that's what the senior team comes with – we come with a good mindset and we're focussed on the team goal."