BIG READ | Penny Heyns as committed as ever to SA swimming... but 'the future is teetering on a slope'

In 2016, 15 aquatic South African stars took part in the Rio Olympics, winning three medals.  

Olympic stalwart Cameron van der Burgh claimed silver in the 100m breaststroke, in what would be his final Olympic Games, and Chad le Clos became South Africa's most decorated Olympian of all time by winning two silver medals in the 100m butterfly and the 200m freestyle.

Heading into this year's rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, set to get underway in July, all hopes rest almost solely on Le Clos in the swimming pool, while there is a potential podium spot for SA's newest swimming sensation Tatjana Schoenmaker.