South Africa's Mens Fours team of David Hunt, Jonty Smith, Vince Breet and Jake Green produced a gutsy display to book a spot in the semifinals of their category at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
The South African crew grabbed an early lead and despite a strong challenge from Belarus, they maintained their form throughout and held off the Belarussians in the final 300m to win the repechage race.
They will race in the semifinal of the Mens Four on Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier Shaun Keeling and Lawrence Brittain qualified for the final of the Mens Pair.
The pair rowing in the second semi-final, finished third behind New Zealand’s Hamish Bond and Eric Murray and the British pair of Alan Sinclair and Stewart Innes.
The South African duo started well and held the New Zealand team, who are unbeaten in 70 races, through the first half of the race. With Britain rowing steadliy, Keeling and Brittain had to work hard over the final 500m to maintain their top three spot and ensure a place in the final.
The were overtaken with 200m to go by the British pair, but had done enough to secure their spot in Thursday’s final. Keeling and Brittain’s time of 06min:27.59 was the slowest of the six finalists, though they won’t care a jot at this stage.
The New Zealanders, Bond and Murray set the fastest time of 06:23.36.
Independent Media