Sates clinches bronze with SA record in Melbourne: 'It was pretty cool'

South African teen Matthew Sates claimed bronze in the men's 400m individual medley at the World Short Course Championships in Melbourne on Saturday.

Sates, who has already taken a gold in the 200m individual medley, went out hard before dropping back and holding on for third place.

Japanese star Daiya Seto powered to victory in 3:55.75 with American Carson Foster second in 3:57.63.

Sates took the bronze in a new national record time of 3:59.21 - a record previously set by Chad le Clos nine years ago.

"It was Chad's record and I got it by 0.02 so it was pretty cool," said Sates.

"I'm happy with the swim. [Breaking the four-minute mark] was definitely a milestone and a good way to finish off the 400IM races for the year."

Fellow teenager Lara van Niekerk was also in record-breaking form on Saturday. The 19-year-old had shattered her own African record in the 50m breaststroke, touching the wall in 29.27 as Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyte broke the world record (28.37).

"It was quite cool swimming in a world record race, I don’t think a lot of people can say that," said Van Niekerk afterwards.

"There were a few errors, my start wasn't the greatest and I was a bit short on the turn so I think if I can fix those things tomorrow night, it will be a very good race.

"I'm looking forward to the 50 [final] - it's always my most fun race and I'm just happy that I can hopefully end off the gala on a very high note."

Meanwhile, Le Clos ensured he progressed to the final of the 100m butterfly event as the fastest qualifier.

Le Clos, who stormed to gold in the 200m fly, won his semi-final in 48.98 - the only swimmer to dip under the 49-second mark.

"I was very happy with the 100 fly - 48.9. I think tomorrow is going to be a great race between me and