Sunday, 25 January 2026

RESULTS: Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships - 24 January 2026.

Rowell Pillay, who captained the Female Protea Team for the MLBB esports title, again demonstrated her leadership skills.

Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships proved to be a popular event with players participating from seven (7) provinces. MSSA's Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships allowed athletes to play around with perfecting new tactics and strategies leading up to the 2026 team selection.

Athletes are reminded that by finishing in the top 3, or top twenty percent - whichever is greater, at MSSA's Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships, such athletes qualify for selection to the national squad and for the Protea Team.

Of special note, the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships saw a huge increase in the number of female participation with an increase up to 27% of all participants being women.

Rowell Pillay, also known by her gamer handle “Ketsuka,” is a member of the all-women Protea Esports Team representing South Africa in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) 

Rowell earned the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) during South Africa’s second match against Mauritius in the MLBB test series held on May 1, 2025, part of a successful campaign that also included a clean sweep of Madagascar and Ghana.

Thus no-one was surprised at her performance in the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships and led the team to outstanding victories, highlighting her skill in the game.

The winners of the Northern Cape Online Provincial Championships are as follows:

TitleName of player/teamClubColours awarded
Clash Royale - PremierZaid WilliamsDimension Gaming
Clash Royale - FemaleIrene BandaOld Edwardian Mind Sports ClubGauteng Provincial (Senior & Primary)
DotA
Dimension Gaming
Talhah EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Nizar EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Fritz KonigDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Ihsaan EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Heshaam EdriesDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
MLBB - Premier
Equilbrium Esports
Shaden Dre Shabalala (Capt.)ParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Umer Ali KhanParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Toseef Ali KhanParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Mogamat Junaid IsmailParadoxWestern Cape (Senior)
Slindokuhle NdlovuParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Gideon Pieter Van ZylParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
MLBB - Female
Seraphs
Rowell Pillay (Capt.)ParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Rashmika NanakanParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Ranya SujeeParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Felicia SinghParadoxWestern Cape (Senior)
Shanel ArunachellamParadoxGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Amy WilkinsParadoxWestern Cape (Senior)
Kim LuParadoxFree State
StreetFighter 6 - PremierIsmaeel WilliamsDimension GamingWestern Cape (Senior)
Tekken 8 - PremierSilumko MgebisaBattle Arena ProductionsGauteng Provincial (Senior)
Tekken 8 - PremierSydney WoodTeam PlayBellWestern Cape (Senior)
Sportsmanship AwardIrene BandaOld Edwardian Mind Sports Club


Waylander Gaming LIVE streamed MSSA's Northern Cape Online Championships for the MLBB esports title for MSSA on:

https://youtube.com/live/28UrxsQq6ss?feature=share

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Saturday, 24 January 2026

Who qualifies for MSSA National Team Trials?

Mind Sports South Africa has reached its 40th anniversary and is the oldest national federation for

backgammon, esports, Morabaraba, and wargames in the world.

Eligibility for Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) National Team trials is generally limited to players who meet all of the following criteria, in accordance with MSSA regulations and selection policies:

  1. South African Citizenship or Eligibility

    • The player must be a South African citizen or otherwise eligible to represent South Africa under MSSA and international federation rules.

  2. Current MSSA Membership

    • The player must be a fully paid-up and registered MSSA member in good standing at the time of trials.

  3. Affiliation Through a Recognised Club or Body

    • The player must be affiliated to MSSA through a recognised club, provincial structure, or national body as required by MSSA regulations.

  4. Participation in Recognised Events

    • The player must have participated in MSSA-recognised competitions, leagues, or ranking events relevant to the discipline for which trials are being held.

  5. Performance-Based Qualification

    • Qualification is typically based on:

      • National rankings

      • Results in sanctioned events

      • Selection thresholds determined by the relevant Selection Committee

    • MSSA reserves the right to limit trials to players who meet minimum performance standards.

  6. Compliance With MSSA Codes and Policies

    • The player must comply with:

      • MSSA Code of Conduct

      • Anti-doping and fair-play regulations

      • Transformation, safeguarding, and governance policies where applicable

  7. Availability for International Representation

    • Players must confirm availability for:

      • The full duration of the international event

      • Training camps and preparatory activities

      • Travel and administrative requirements

Important Notes

  • Trials are not automatically open to all members; eligibility is determined per discipline and per event.

  • MSSA may also make direct selections or invite specific players to trials at its discretion.

  • Final authority rests with the relevant Selection Committee and the MSSA Executive.

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Register with Waylander Gaming: Your Path to earn Protea Colours.


How to Secure Your Spot:

Send a Email with your Gamer Tag and/or Squad Name to  Waylandergamingsa@gmail.com

Waylander Gaming is officially recruiting for our premier club, Arcadia, providing you with a direct pathway to represent South Africa in prestigious international tournaments like the IESF World Esports Championships.

By joining Arcadia, you aren't just playing for a club; you are positioning yourself to earn Provincial and National colours for South African Esports—the ultimate recognition for any local gamer.

Registration Details

To participate in upcoming tryouts and ensure your eligibility for national selection, the following fees apply which is also your yearly club fee:

 * Under 18's: R13.00 

 * Adults (18+): R134.00

MSSA Trials starting in March 2026

Represent your club. Represent your country. Earn your colours!

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Streaming of MSSA's Northern Cape Online Championships for the MLBB esports title.


Waylander Gaming LIVE is streaming MSSA's Northern Cape Online Championships for the MLBB esports title for MSSA and will bring you all the action and excitement of the Championship for the Mobile Legends Bang Bang Esports title as they battle each and every opponent.

https://youtube.com/live/28UrxsQq6ss?feature=share


Hosted online — but make no mistake…

ALL PROVINCES ARE COMING.

šŸ“… 24 January 2026

⏰ From 10:00 AM

šŸ“ŗ LIVE on Waylander Gaming


Drafts will decide it. Team fights will end it.

Only one stands tall.


THIS. IS. MLBB. šŸŽ®šŸ”„

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Friday, 23 January 2026

Clash Royale esports athletes may win a trip to Mumbai....

 


Today Global Esports Federation (GEF), formally invited its Member Federations to register for the Mumbai 2025 Global Esports Games (GEG25). The GEG25 World Finals will be held in Mumbai, India, from 26 February to 1 March 2026. 
 
Entry is for the following titles: 
 
  • DOTA 2 (PC): FIVE (5) Athletes + ONE (1) Coach per team, per country/territory  
  • Clash Royale (Mobile): ONE (1) Athlete per country/territory 
 
Since MSSA has already selected its DotA team for IESF's WEC25 (which is still to be held), MSSA shall be using the selected Protea Team for the DotA esports period for GEG25.

However, a Registered Player has not yet been selected for Clash Royale and noting that entries must be submitted by 28 January 2026, MSSA shall select the winner, or the highest ranked player if the winner cannot attend, at the Northern Cape Online Championships to be held on 24 January 2026 if:
  1. The Registered Player is affiliated to a member club,
  2. The player has a current passport,  and
  3. Signed Senior Contract (Please note only Registered Players who are 18 years or older of age are eligible for this event), and
  4. Confirmation to attend events (test matches and other matches).
Colin Webster, President of Mind Sports South Africa, stated, "This is a remarkable achievement by Global Esports Federation to still deliver to its members and athletes. Unfortunately there is little time afforded to the members to be as comprehensive as possible in selecting a Registered Player for the Clash Royale esports title. Nevertheless, MSSA and its Board are confident that the right person will rise to the top".
 
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REMINDER - Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships - 24 January 2026.

A triumphant Thato Wesley Maredi on his return to OR Tambo Airport after having represented South Africa in Casablanca, Morocco in the Mobile eFootball game title in December 2025.

With a number of international events likely to happen in 2026 it is always better to enter MSSA events earlier rather than later in order to qualify for MSSA's National Team Trials.

It is in MSSA's National Team Trials that teams will be selected for Protea teams that will officially represent South Africa in international events.

Remember that you cannot officially represent South Africa in an international event unless selected by MSSA.

MSSA's Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships  to be held on 24 January 2026 offers all esports athletes the first chance in 2026 to to qualify for National Team Trials.

Thus the hunt is on for the 2026 National Protea Esports Teams. 

To have a chance to qualify for selection, players must be members of an affiliated club and qualify for National Team Trials at a MSSA event.

In order to participate, players must be registered for the 2025/2026 season.

The championship shall be held on 24 January 2026.

Game titles to be played are:

Period/genreTitlePlatformAge restrictionPlayers
Shooter
CS 2PC165 v 5
PUBGMMobile181 v 1
ValorantPC165 v 5
Sport
EA SPORTS™ FC 26Console121 v 1
eFootballConsole121 v 1
eBasketball - eFIBAConsole121 v 1
Rocket LeaguePC121 v 1 and 3 v 3
MOBA
Clash of ClansMobile121 v1
Clash RoyaleMobile121 v 1
DotA 2PC125 v 5
League of LegendsPC125 v 5
Mobile Legends Bang BangMobile124 v 4
Fighting
Tekken 8Console161 v 1
Street Fighter 6Console121 v 1

Tournament Structure:


As per the MSSA's rules, being:

  • If less than six teams, the championship shall be a Round Robin Championship
  • If 6 to 10 teams enter the championship there shall be four rounds as played to the Swiss System
  • If 11 or more teams enter the championship there shall be five rounds as played to the Swiss System

Eligibility:

  • Any team consisting of players who are Registered Players affiliated to a MSSA member club may enter.

Entries:

  • Entry is R100.00 per Registered Player.
  • Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.
  • Entries must be submitted by midnight 24 January 2026
  • To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document. 
  • The entry form may be found on Google Drive. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xggSHejr_fG4X5pAiGZVp6OmqQtdjA_1FeWtsGZr2Jo/edit?gid=0#gid=0
  • Clubs are to download the entry form, completed the downloaded form, and e-mail it to Mind Sports South Africa. 
  • Photographs of players must accompany the entry.
  • Only entries submitted via email and on Excel shall be accepted.

Medals shall be handed over to winners at the next MSSA LAN that they attend. 


      MALE:

  • PREMIER: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams.
  • UNDER 24: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal and which are comprised entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognized University.
  • SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognized school, provided they have not received any Premier medals. 

        FEMALE:

  • PREMIER: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams.
  • UNDER 24: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal and which are comprised entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognized University.
  • SCHOLARS: Medals shall be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognized school, provided they have not received any Premier medals.

Colours:

  • Protea Colours: Only Players that are selected to represent South Africa in International Championships may earn National Colours if the Protea Colours Board's criteria are met.
  • National Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a National Championship will earn National Colours.
  • Provincial Colours: All Players that win all of their Matches at a Provincial Championship will earn Provincial Colours. All Players who score within the top 50% in a specific Period at a Provincial Championship, and who also score within the top 50% at a National Championship in the same period and in the same year, will earn Provincial Colours.

        General:

        • The championship shall be played on: 24 January 2026.
        • The first round will start at 10H00. Players shall be given 60 minutes to complete each round.
        • Players playing 3 v 3 Rocket League shall be given 1.5 hours to complete the round.
        • The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. 
        • The championship shall be used for the awarding of provincial colours;
        • The championship shall be used for the awarding of medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in Premier, Under 24, and School categories;
        • The championship shall be used for the ability to qualify for National Team Squad.
        • All medals shall be awarded to the recipients at a MSSA LAN championships.

        Umpires:

        • Umpires may only be contacted over Discord on the day of competition. Any communication not on the Discord channel shall not be entered into.

        Ladder:

        • All games shall count towards the National Ladder.

        Shout casting:

        Additional reading:

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