Auto&General Xtri Delivers Close Racing and Courageous First-Time Efforts
Sold out field takes on SA's premier cross triathlon
Adriaan Myburgh and Bridgette Theunissen may have taken the men’s and women’s titles at the 2026 Auto&General Xtri, hosted by Steyn City, over the weekend, but the event delivered more than just a national championship showdown, as over 900 athletes had their own stories to tell.
The elite men’s race came down to the wire, with just 41 seconds separating the top two finishers. Myburgh claimed the top step of the podium, finishing the 1200m swim, 30,5km bike and 7.85km run of the Standard distance event in 1 hour 58 minutes and 36 seconds. Myburgh was pushed to the limit by Ryno Owen, who secured second 41 seconds behind with Alessandro Fanicchi third in 2:03:35.
The elite women’s race also saw a close rivalry between first and second, but it was Theunissen who surged through the field to claim the title in 2:12:12. Hannah Newman secured a close second in 2:13:16 with defending champion, Nicolette Griffioen, rounding out the podium in 2:20:57.
…the spirit of the day extended far beyond the professional ranks.
As the official South African Cross Triathlon Championship, sanctioned by Triathlon South Africa (TSA), the sold-out event drew the country’s top-tier elite athletes. But the spirit of the day extended far beyond the professional ranks.
Among the field were 30 women from the Matsimela Ladies Clinic, founded by Caroline Matsimela, many of whom completed their first triathlon. What began as training sessions and community support culminated in a powerful collective finish. For several of the women, the 300m lagoon swim in the Super Spring event marked a personal milestone.
Fitness influencer Jesse Seb also took on his first cross triathlon at this year’s event. A strong cyclist and runner, Seb had not swum competitively in 15 years before committing to the Xtri challenge.
“You only get to do something for the first time once, so it’s important that you choose wisely.”
“You only get to do something for the first time once, so it’s important that you choose wisely,” Seb reflected after the race. While first-timers celebrated personal victories, the professional field delivered a masterclass in championship racing.
The competitiveness of the field was further reflected in the surge in TSA-licensed athletes. The number of competitors vying for official age-category titles jumped from 40 in the previous year to a staggering 140, signalling a new era of growth for South African cross triathlon.
For full race results, visit www.crosstriathlon.co.za
Relive the action! Scroll through a gallery of pics and watch the highlights video below.
Pics and video Matt Lennon.
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