By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

Lara van Niekerk won her second gold medal of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, winning the women's 100m breaststroke final ahead of compatriot Tatjana Schoenmaker.

Swimming in lane 4, Van Niekerk powered to the lead and kept her consistency despite a slight charge by fellow South African and 200m gold medallist Schoenmaker.

However, the 19-year-old stopped the clock in 1:05.47 to comfortably seal South Africa's sixth gold in the Commonwealth Games.

Schoenmaker, who was in lane 5, turned second and tried to catch up with Van Niekerk but had settle for SA as she touched the wall in 1:06.68.

Rounding up the podium was Australian Chelsea Hodges in bronze (1:07.05).

Meanwhile Pieter Coetze clawed his way back and surged to snatch bronze in the men's 200m backstroke final in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Coetze was sixth in the last 50m turn and swam the fastest lap as he claimed third in 1:56.77.

England's Brodie Williams won gold in 1:56.40 and Australian Bradley Woodward took silver in 1:56.41.

This is Pieter's third Commonwealth Games medal in Birmingham after his gold in the 100m and silver in the 50m backstroke. 

Sadly, Chad le Clos failed in his bid to become the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time as he finished fourth in the men's 100m butterfly final.

Swimming in lane 5, Le Clos put in his all but could only touch the wall in 51.61, just 0.21 seconds off the podium places. 

Michael Houlie also missed out on a podium finish as he finished fourth in the men's 50m breaststroke final on Tuesday evening.

Swimming in lane 3, Houlie touched the wall in 27.36, just 0.04 seconds behind bronze medallist Ross Murdoch of Scotland (27.32).

Olympic world champion Adam Peaty delighted home fans as he stormed to gold (26.76) with Australia's Sam Williamson taking silver (26.97).