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Rio de Janeiro - Sunette Viljoen is Team South Africa's first female medallist at the Rio Olympics after winning silver in Thursday night's (Friday morning, SA time) javelin.
It takes the total medal tally to NINE for SA, but the first eight of those were all won by men or men's teams.
Ironically, South Africa's last medal hope at the Games is likely to be another female athlete in the form of Caster Semenya in Saturday's (Sunday morning, SA time) 800m final.
"Baie lekker," was Viljoen's response when asked how she felt being Team SA's first female medallist in Rio.
"That makes it so much more special. To be the first one ... I didn’t even know that. But it’s good."
Viljoen then challenged female athletes in South Africa to show more character.
"I think we need just more of the women to come through," she said.
"Sometimes they give up so easily when the going gets tough but that’s when you have to dig deep. That’s what I’m very proud of. I think after London I just kept fighting."
Viljoen finished fourth at the London Olympic four years ago.
Lloyd Burnard is Sport24's correspondent in Rio de Janeiro for the duration of the 2016 Olympics ...
