Code 1
Paintball
South Africa’s national teams at the UPBF Paintball World Championship, from 2013 to today.
- Championships
- 8
- Podium finishes
- 3
- Latest
- 9th, 2026
Photo: Facefull, courtesy of UPBF
Code 2
Airsoft
Part of SANPA since the start. The national airsoft programme, team selection and safety guidance are being rebuilt under SANPA’s own commission.
Photo: World Airsoft Games
Who we are
One home for paintball and airsoft in South Africa
SANPA is the national representative body for paintball and airsoft in South Africa, and is recognised by the United Paintball Federation (UPBF) to represent paintball in South Africa. We have looked after paintball since 2012, and airsoft has been part of the association from the start. We field South Africa’s national paintball and airsoft teams, take part in the standards committees that keep fields safe, and speak for both sports when government and industry need to hear from them.
Read our story →
International standing
Official Representative of the United Paintball Federation
The United Paintball Federation (UPBF) has run the Paintball World Championship since 2013 and was formally established in 2018, when SANPA’s chairman was elected its General Secretary. SANPA is the UPBF’s Official Representative for South Africa, with membership current through 2026.
Behind the scenes
The work that never makes the news
Much of what SANPA does for the sport and industry happens quietly. We describe it here in general terms only; individual matters stay confidential.
Advice to law enforcement
Technical input on how paintball and airsoft equipment works, so that officials can tell a sport marker from something else.
Support in legal matters
Independent advice when lawyers, courts and officials ask what is normal practice in paintball and airsoft.
Answers for the public
Replies to concerned citizens, neighbours and venue owners, handled privately and fairly.
Practical uses of the technology
Guidance on non-sport uses of paintball equipment, such as humane wildlife deterrence.
Our story
From 2012 to today
24 June 2020
SABS standards committee
SANPA is nominated as a participating member of SABS technical committee TC 0228 (working group 15, Tourism Standards: Sport and Other Recreational Facilities).
Paintball and airsoft · Source: SABS reply form, 24 June 2020
25 June 2020
SABS confirms committee membership
SABS confirms that SANPA's representative has been added as a member of SABS/TC 228 Tourism Standards, including its Adventure tourism working group (ISO/TC 228 WG 7), and given access to its committee portal.
Paintball and airsoft · Source: SABS email, 25 June 2020
15 July 2020
Ministry grants permission to resume
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture grants SANPA permission to resume sporting activities under Level 3 lockdown, subject to compliance officers, operational plans and screening at every venue.
Paintball and airsoft · Source: Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture letter, 15 July 2020
2025
Back on the world stage in France
South Africa's men's team travels to Dreux, France, for the UPBF Paintball World Championship and finishes 14th.
Paintball · Source: UPBF results record
2026
Ninth at the UPBF Paintball World Championship
The men's team finishes 9th, winning two of four games in the verified record.
Paintball · Source: UPBF results record (verified)