4x400m relay men confident of a medal in Tokyo

With the world record holder and the world's fastest one-lap runner in their ranks, the South African team are confident of stepping on the podium in the men's 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo starting this weekend.

- Wesley Botton

The national team, featuring Zakithi Nene, Gardeo Isaacs, world junior champion Udeme Okon and 18-year-old phenom Leendert Koekemoer, won gold at the World Athletics Relays championship held in Guangzhou in May.

And though he did not turn out in that quartet, Wayde van Niekerk (right) said he was eager to give the squad an extra boost in an attempt to earn his first World Championships medal in the 4x400m relay in the Japanese capital.