Cautious optimism

“I’ll try my absolute best to win the 200 [butterfly], but in saying that I'll be very happy with any medal.

“The 100 fly is going to be exceptionally hard even to podium, so I think it's one of those where I have the potential to win it for sure, but realistically speaking it would be great to get on the podium there.”

Le Clos lines up in the 100m freestyle, and the 50m, 100m and 200 butterfly events. Should he manage to medal in all those events, he will equal the tally of Lochte.

Meanwhile, Lara van Niekerk will hope for a top showing in her return from injury.

“I have no expectations going into short course,” said Van Niekerk who bagged a silver in the previous edition in the 50m breaststroke.

“I'm going with the mindset of just enjoying what I'm doing and just having fun with the team. We are a very nice team going together, and then let's just see what I can do. Training has been going well, so I'm very excited to race for the last time in 2024.”

SA team:

Women: Cailtin de Lange (50, 100m freestyle), Milla Drakopoulos (100m backstroke), Stephanie Houtman (800, 1500m freestyle), Rebecca Meder (100, 200m breaststroke, 100, 200m individual medley), Jaime Mote (100m butterfly), Hannah Pearse (200m backstroke), Hannah Roberston, Jessica Thompson (50m butterfly, 50m backstroke), Lara van Niekerk (50, 100m breaststroke)

Men: Michael Houlie (50m breaststroke), Kian Keylock (400m individual medley), Arno Kruger (400m freestyle), Chad le Clos (100m freestyle, 50, 100, 200m butterfly), Kris Mihaylov (200, 800, 1500m freestyle), Matthew Randle (200m breaststroke), Chris Smith (50, 100m breaststroke), Ruard van Reenen (50, 100m freestyle, 50, 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly)

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Chad le Clos chasing Ryan Lochte record at World Short Course Championships