Roland Schoeman may have produced a rare breaststroke triumph over world record-holder Cameron van der Burgh, but it was another South African in Chad le Clos who stole the limelight on a night of records on the first day of the Fina Swimming World Cup in Durban on Friday.

The evening session saw World Cup records set by Schoeman in the 50 metres breaststroke (25.90) and 50 m butterfly (22.32), the American pair of Jessica Hardy in the 100m breaststroke (1:04.15) and Peter Marshall in the 100m backstroke (46.40), Sweden's Therese Alshammar in the 100m butterfly (56.12) and Dutch swimmer Hinkelien Schreuder in the 50m backstroke (26.55).

"I haven't swum breaststroke in quite a while and it was a fun race for me," Schoeman said.

"I knew if I did a good turn off the wall at halfway, I would have a chance. Van der Burgh is a great competitor and trains really hard, so I was delighted to get the win here."

Van der Burgh, holder of the 50m world record of 25.43, said the race had provided a wake-up call after finishing second in 25.94.

"Going into the race as world record-holder and getting beaten by Schoeman was a bit of a reality check for me but it was a good sign as to where I am in my training at the moment," he said.

"I always planned on being in top condition for the World Cup legs in Europe, but well done to Schoeman on a superb swim."

For Durban-based Le Clos, 17, it was a night to remember as he set South African records in the 400m individual medley (4:05.04) and 200m butterfly (1:54.45).

His win over fellow KwaZulu-Natal swimmer Riaan Schoeman, the national 400m IM champion who ended second in 4:08.00, brought the crowd to their feet at the Kings Park Aquatic Centre.

"I will remember this night for a long time," said a beaming Le Clos.

"I just went out hard from the start and focused all the way. I still can't believe my time."