THE SPRINGBOK WITH THE SPEED OF A GAZELLE

WAYDE VAN NIEKERK’S SCHEDULE AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday: 400m heats Sunday: 400m semi-finals Monday: 200m heats Tuesday: 400m final Wednesday: 200m semi-finals Thursday: 200m final HE has run the 100 metres this year faster than track legend Usain Bolt.

He holds world records for both 300m and 400m which were previously the property of Michael Johnson.

And he’s so talented that the schedule for the World Championships has been changed to allow him a shot at the 200-400m double.

Little wonder the search for the successor to Bolt has stopped at the door of South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk.

“He’s in the category of extraordinary,” said British 400m great Roger Black.

“He is the most complete sprinter of all time. Even Michael Johnson and Usain Bolt can’t argue with that.

“That isn’t a rash statement. Michael never broke 10 seconds for the 100m and Usain didn’t come close to running under 44 for the 400.”

Bolt says Van Niekerk (right) is the man to replace him. He said: “He will take over, without a doubt.” And nobody who saw the 25-year-old break the quartermile world record in Rio would deny that the future is his. But Van Niekerk is too respectful of Bolt to make any bold claims. “I’ve still got a long way to go before I even get close to the heights Usain has reached,” he said. “We have to give him the respect he’s due.”