Games medallists, Banyana add to SA's good feeling amid societal gloom: 'It's absolutely brilliant'

South Africa is riding high on a good feeling because of exploits on the sports field following numerous Commonwealth Games medals adding to Banyana Banyana's continental victory.

Lara van Niekerk kicked things off for the country in the pool at the Birmingham Games with her 50m breaststroke gold medal on Saturday night.

That was quickly followed by Pieter Coetzé's gold in the 100m backstroke final the same night.

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By Sunday night, more medals started streaming in from Birmingham as Tatjana Schoenmaker claimed South Africa's third gold medal, winning the women's 200m breaststroke final.

A week before, Banyana Banyana received countrywide plaudits for winning the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the first such major honour in South African women's football.

Van Niekerk's coach Eugene da Ponte beamed at the stars, especially the women, who have illuminated the country amid some dark and trying times in general society.

"I think it's absolutely brilliant," said Da Ponte.

"I was absolutely overjoyed to see what Banyana were able to do. It's the first really major women's sports team that's done something like that.

"They showed the rest of the country what's possible, just like Tatjana did last year at the Olympics. And now, for two of our youngsters to come here and bring home the gold is absolutely brilliant.

"It just shows the other young swimmers in South Africa and sports people what can be done if you're willing to put the work in and go the long yards. Anything is possible."

Medals continued pouring in for Team SA after Kaylene Corbett claimed bronze in the 200m breaststroke, while Chad le Clos made history by becoming tied for the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time.

Le Clos won silver in