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SANPA, South African National Paintball Airsoft Association

Code 2

Playing airsoft

The ways to play airsoft in SANPA, how the sport has developed here, and where to find a place to play.

Ways to play

Airsoft is played with 6 mm airsoft projectiles, which is how ASTM International’s eye-protection standard for the sport describes it. SANPA works with two competitive disciplines.

  • Tactical

    A mission-based discipline focused on strategy, communication, precision, and coordinated teamwork to achieve objectives.

  • Speedsoft

    A fast-paced competitive discipline focused on speed, agility, quick reactions, accuracy, and aggressive teamwork to win objectives.

As one example of how the two are run internationally, the World Airsoft Games in the UAE describe Speedsoft as a fast, close-quarters format on compact fields, played as five 90-second rounds a match. They describe Tactical as objective-based play over long-range open ground, with missions such as a bomb mission and a VIP rescue. These are that event’s own formats, and other events and venues set their own rules.

ASTM International publishes standards for airsoft eye protection (F2879) and for face and ear protection (F3398). Ask the venue what protection it requires and supplies before you go. SANPA takes part in the ASTM committee that writes these standards. See Safety and standards.

SANPA has not yet confirmed a rulebook for South African airsoft. When one is confirmed, this page will link to its publisher instead of keeping a copy.

History of airsoft

This is airsoft in SANPA’s own record. A wider history of the sport will be added once its sources are confirmed.

  1. 2012

    SANPA starts looking after paintball and airsoft

    SANPA begins work on safety, field regulations and national play for paintball. Airsoft is part of the association from its inception.

    Paintball and airsoft · Source: SANPA announcement, 21 June 2020

  2. 3 November 2017

    ASTM airsoft subcommittee

    SANPA is a member of ASTM subcommittee F08.27 (airsoft), which meets during F08 committee week in Atlanta from 14 to 17 November 2017.

    Airsoft · Source: ASTM F08.27 members notice, 3 November 2017

  3. 19 June 2020

    Paintball and airsoft given equal weight

    SANPA decides to update its long name to include airsoft, so that both sporting codes carry equal weight with government and stakeholders. The short name SANPA stays.

    Paintball and airsoft · Source: SANPA announcement, 21 June 2020

Read SANPA’s whole story →The national airsoft programme →

Where to play

Venues, clubs and leagues SANPA has confirmed from public sources, by province. Being listed does not mean an organisation is affiliated with SANPA unless its label says so.

Gauteng

Western Cape

Want to be a member, or register a club or venue? Join SANPA →

See the map and full details →

Sources

World Airsoft Games (the Speedsoft and Tactical formats described above); ASTM International’s listings for F2879 and F3398 (the standards’ titles); and SANPA’s own record (the history). Checked 2026-10-22.