Murray, the favourite going into the race, retained his crown, continuing his impressive form having previously won the Cape Town Sprint Triathlon African Cup this year, following on from his first World Cup medal in Huatulco, Mexico, last October.

He beat three times champion and compatriot Erhard Wolfaardt, who was three minutes behind Murray.

Zimbabwe's Christopher Felgate, who competed in Beijing four years' ago, came in behind Murray and Wolfaardt, while another three times champion, Hendrik De Villiers, failed to impress and finished seventh.

Sanders, who took silver last year at the Championships, claimed the women's title with a superb run, a minute ahead of All Africa Games gold medallist and fellow South African Carlyn Fischer.

It was an all South African top three too, as reigning champion Kate Roberts, who won the 2010 event, came third – which could be seen as a blow to her hopes of returning to the Olympic Games, although as the country's number two, Roberts is still in the driving seat for a spot at this summer's Games.


The performances from Murray and Roberts ensured a highly satisfactory weekend for South Africa, who have now secured at least two spots for their National Olympic Committee allocation.

The qualification procedure for London 2012 allocates two places, one for men and one for women, across each of the five triathlon continental championships.

The remaining two European slots to be secured this way will be known later this month at the 2012 Eilat Triathlon ETU Championships in Israel.

Some 110 competitors will participate at London 2012 – 55 of each gender – with the majority of slots being decided on world rankings.

The Olympic women's triathlon will take place on August 4 at Hyde Park in London with the men's competition on August 7 at the same venue.

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