Le Clos sparkles in Gqeberha as Meder, Nel rewrite the record books

Le Clos contested his first event of the championships, taking an impressive 13th national title in the 200m butterfly.

He was pushed all the way by 19-year-old Ethan du Preez, who turned first for the final 50m, but in characteristic style, Le Clos powered past to win in 1:56.05 and claim a World Championship A qualifying time.

Du Preez was second in a B qualifying time of 1:57.09.

"I thought I would be a bit faster, to be fair, but I always get nervous for Nationals for some reason - it scares me every time I race here," admitted Le Clos afterwards.

"I was just trying to go with Ethan and try and be as flowy as possible. Obviously I got tired in the last 10 metres, but my head was down. I'm sad that he didn't get the [A qualifying] time as well.

"I was confident I was going to qualify tonight, but I just wanted to swim it my way and control the race, not let my emotions control me like I was in the past."

RESULTS: SA Swimming Championships - Day 2

Rebecca Meder kicked things off in the 200m individual medley, bettering her own SA record set at last year’s Commonwealth Games to claim the title in a speedy 2:11.39.

That ensured she dipped well under the A qualifying time for the Swimming World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July.

It also saw her swimming under the even more stringent A qualification time for next year's Paris Olympic Games.

"To be honest, it didn't feel that fast - I thought I was going to miss it. I read a bible verse before... I was literally reciting that verse as I was swimming," explained an elated Meder after the race.

"I knew I could go 2:12.9, but 2:11.3 was just wow! So I'm really proud of myself.

"I knew coming in I'm the strongest, fastest, fittest and leanest I've ever been so I knew with all of