The three-time Olympian (21) beat a longstanding FISU record in the semifinal round with a time of 52.18 bettering the 2017 Taipei Games record of 53.29. Coetze then went on to win in the final race and improve his record time by 51.99, clinching a national and African record simultaneously. The win is a historic moment not only for South Africa but was the first medal for Africa as a continent at the Games.

South Africa's Head of Delegation, Carole Adams pinned Coetze to excel at the games thanks to his previous international experience on major sporting stages like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

The gold medalist had this to say after his emphatic race: "I am so happy to get a medal for South Africa, thank you for all the support and to the whole team watching in the stands - it has been an amazing meet so far."

"After yesterday I would've taken that [time], I came back this morning with a lot of focus and intent - I was able to drop it [his time] more so I am super happy," said Coetze after his record victory.

Next up for Coetze will see him compete in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke today with hopes of adding another medal to his name.

A second medal was soon to follow in the pool as Lara van Niekerk grabbed silver in the women's 50m breaststroke with a time of 30.68. Van Niekerk who is the current short course African, Commonwealth and South African record holder held her own in the pool to add another international medal to her growing accolades.

South Africa closed off a successful night in the pool with a third and final medal, claiming bronze in the 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay. The quartet of Ruard van Renen, Guy Brooks, Simone Moll, and Olivia Nel touched the wall in a time of 3:48.34, securing a place on the podium and capping off a proud evening for Team SA swimming.

In other swimming news, Olivia Nel narrowly missed out on a podium finish and a personal best in the women's 100m freestyle (54.32), she placed 4th behind the American Parker who beat her by two points of a second (54.30).

Agonisingly close to the podium, Simone Moll gave it everything in the women's 50m breaststroke final, finishing 4th by a mere second - but not without a triumph of her own: a blazing new personal best of 30.98. and Michaela de Villiers qualified for the final of the women's 100m backstroke (1:00.81) taking place later today.

South Africa suffered a tough day on the tennis court, in the men's singles Carl Roothman put up a fight against Egor Agafonov but the game ended 7-6, 6-2 in favour of the independent athlete Agafonov. A similar fate was handed to Delien Kleinhans who was beaten by German Gina Dittman in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. In the women's doubles, Ndungane and Lategan suffered a narrow loss 6-3, 6-4 by Italian duo Ferrara and Lombardini.

In the 3x3 basketball playoffs, both the men's and women's side endured difficult opponents with losses for both teams by Hungary (women: 21-6) and Czech Republic (men: 21-9) respectively.