PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — South African track and field is stepping into a bold, unprecedented era. On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, over 120 elite athletes from around the globe will descend upon the iconic Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria for the inaugural Simbine Classic.
Serving as the first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting to be hosted in South Africa, this is shaping up to be the greatest athletics event ever witnessed on local soil. Spearheaded by South Africa’s 100m record holder, Akani Simbine, and driven by arguably the most passionate and relentless team of athletics supporters in the country, the meeting promises an evening of explosive speed, world-class field events, and a lucrative financial boost for local talent.
“Our vision is to not only promote and showcase our country, but to do the same for African athletics,” says Akani Simbine. “We are pleased to have World Athletics Continental Tour Silver status for our inaugural event, and we hope it will continue to grow in the years to come.”
The Driven Team Behind the Magic
The immense momentum building up to race day hasn’t happened by accident; it is the result of sheer grit from an organizing team determined to elevate African athletics. BackTrack Sports, driven by co-founders Themba Madima and Wesley Botton, has been instrumental in thrusting the Simbine Classic into the public eye.
Going beyond traditional promotions, the duo has taken fans straight to the heart of the action with their daily podcast, NoSweat. By securing exclusive interviews with participating athletes and key event partners, they have provided an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at the dedication required to pull off an event of this magnitude.
“As someone who has spent most of my career on the outside looking in as a journalist, being involved in the organization of this event has been an eye-opener,” notes Wesley Botton, Media Manager. “I have been stunned by the amount of work the organizers have had to put in to create an event of this calibre, and they have done an excellent job. The one thing that has stood out for me is how pleased the athletes are to have a meeting of this status taking place on SA soil.”
A Star-Studded Global Lineup
The Simbine Classic has managed to attract some of the biggest names in world sport, certifying the elite quality of the event. The headline Men’s 100m sprint—officially sponsored by South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe and the Motsepe Foundation—will feature a blockbuster showdown between Akani Simbine and his perennial rival, Canada’s two-time Olympic gold medallist Andre de Grasse.
But the 100m is just the beginning of a 12-event powerhouse program. In a highly anticipated 300m race, Zambia’s Olympic 400m bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga will line up against South African 400m heavyweights Zakithi Nene and Lythe Pillay. Meanwhile, the field events will see Chukwuebuka Enekwechi—Nigeria’s shot put king and the first African to breach the 22-metre mark—ready to dominate the throwing circle against South African champion Aiden Smith.
“In order to promote South African athletics, we need to ensure we are marketing our sport at a global level,” explains Media Director Themba Madima. “Having the calibre of international athletes who are competing here is not only great for fans but provides a significant opportunity for local athletes. We want South Africans and the world to have this event engraved in their memory.”
A Record-Breaking Prize Purse & Critical Stepping Stone
Beyond the prestige, the Simbine Classic is rewriting the economic landscape for athletes on the continent. Organizers have announced a staggering R1.46 million prize purse for the one-day spectacle. Winners of each event will walk away with R50,000, while second and third places will earn R25,000 and R16,000, respectively. These incentives extend down to sixth place—and include the para men’s 100m division—providing a massive boost to local athletes who usually have to travel overseas to earn meaningful prize money.
The timing of the meet is equally strategic. Scheduled just days before the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana (May 2-3), the Pretoria meet will act as a crucial preparation ground. Athletics South Africa (ASA) high-performance manager Hezekiel Sepeng confirmed the national relay team will utilize the Simbine Classic as their final tune-up to polish baton exchanges before departing for Botswana.
Athletics Like You've Never Watched It Before
The spectator experience at Pilditch Stadium is designed to be completely immersive. “Spectators are going to have a memorable experience,” Simbine promises. “We have entertainment, unique activations, a kids’ program in the morning, and elite local athletes competing in the pre-program. It will be a full day of fun for the whole family.”
For fans tuning in digitally, the organizing team is ripping up the traditional broadcast playbook with FINISH LINE LIVE: THE SIMBINE CLASSIC WATCHALONG. Streaming on the SuperSport YouTube channel from 15:00, this live news-desk-style reaction show is set right inside the stadium, with the races happening in real time directly behind the hosts.
The dynamic panel features Wesley Botton (The Athletics Mind), Siv Ngesi (The Chaos Factor), Maxime Chaumeton (The Athlete with No Filter), and Xolile Vesile (The Outsider Reaction King). The watchalong will pit human intuition against technology, featuring an AI predicting every race alongside the hosts’ own calls, tracked by a live accuracy counter. With athletes dropping in live straight after their races for hot takes, wild reactions, and debates, it promises to be an entirely new way to consume track and field.
Tickets are officially on sale via iTickets, ranging from a highly accessible R60 for general admission to R250, with VIP packages also available.
As the countdown to April 28 begins, one thing is certain: the world is coming to Pretoria, and African athletics will never be the same.
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