18-year-old matric pupil stuns Olympic superstar Tatjana Schoenmaker at SA swim champs

Lara van Niekerk stunned Olympic star Tatjana Schoenmaker to claim the 100m breaststroke title at the SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Saturday.

The 18-year-old speedster reached the turn first and held on in the second 50m to touch in a lifetime best of 1:05.67, with Schoenmaker second in 1:06.06.

It's a time that sees her second fastest in the world this year and also just .45 of a second off the time that Schoenmaker swam on her way to a silver medal in the event at the Olympics last year. Schoenmaker's best time, however, came in the heats of the Tokyo Games, where she set an Olympic record of 1:04.82.

READ | Schoenmaker, Le Clos, Corbett earn Commonwealth Games spots in Gqeberha

"I was expecting a 1:05 but not that quick. I was expecting a 1:05.9, so I'm super-happy. I surprised myself, and I think a lot of people in the stands," admitted an elated Van Niekerk afterwards.

"I was really nervous before, just knowing she's an Olympic silver medallist in the 100, and she's always very strong coming back. I always go out fast, so I knew coming back I had to go into another gear and just try my best and keep holding on, so I'm really happy."

Even though she was swimming in the lane next to her, Van Niekerk wasn't aware of where Schoenmaker was in relation to her.

"I actually couldn't see her at all. I just heard everyone in the stands going crazy and I knew it must be really close. I can't remember much of the race - I think I just had so much adrenaline," added Van Niekerk, who has now achieved World Championship and Commonwealth Games qualification times in the 50 and 100m breaststroke.

In the next instalment of the Chad le Clos vs Matt Sates rivalry, it was the veteran who got the better of the young gun in the 100m