In 2013 SANPA received an official invitation for a South African representative team to compete at the first official Paintball World Cup, held in Europe at Chantilly, near Paris, from 13 to 15 September 2013.

Getting a team together

The invitation came at very short notice, and not every player who qualified was available. Players from the top teams in the South African Regional Paintball League (SARPL) were contacted, and those who committed formed the first South African national paintball team. The team travelled to France on 10 September and returned on 16 September 2013.

The result

South Africa finished 13th in Men at the 2013 Paintball World Cup. That is the starting point of South Africa's record at what is now the UPBF Paintball World Championship. The team improved to 4th place two years later, as told in South Africa finishes 4th at the 2015 Paintball World Cup. The full list is on the results page.

Sponsors who made the trip possible

SANPA thanked the businesses that made the first national team's trip possible:

  • Blades and Triggers / Empire Paintball: official paintball sponsor for the national team at the World Cup.
  • Paintball City / GI Sportz Paintball: GI Sportz pants for the players.
  • Cronus Consulting, Powder-Lak, The Paintball Shop and Team Wolverines: financial contributions towards the expenses of the trip.
  • RSHmedia: official photographers for the national team.

Businesses that want to support the national teams today can get in touch.