The 7th Western Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships will take place on February 27, 2026. This event is a major opportunity for esports athletes in the region. It is the first major chance for players in 2026 to qualify for the National Team Trials. These trials are very important because they select the Protea teams. These teams officially represent South Africa in international events. Remember, you cannot play for South Africa in an international event unless you are selected by Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA).

Why You Should Enter Early

There are likely to be many international events in 2026. Because of this, it is better to enter MSSA events early rather than later. This helps you qualify for the National Team Trials. The hunt is on for the 2026 National Protea Esports Teams. To have a chance to be selected, players must be members of an affiliated club. They also need to qualify for National Team Trials at an MSSA event. To participate, players must be registered for the 2025/2026 season.

Games Available to Play

The championship will feature many different game titles. Here is a list of the games, the platform they are on, age restrictions, and how many players are needed:

• Shooter Games:

• Premier: Medals will be awarded to the first three teams.
• Under 24: Medals will be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal. These teams must be made up entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognized University.
• Scholars: Medals will be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognized school. They must not have received any Premier medals.
  

  Female Categories

  • Premier: Medals will be awarded to the first three teams.
  • Under 24: Medals will be awarded to the first three teams that have not won a Premier medal. These teams must be made up entirely of students currently registered at any officially recognized University.
  • Scholars: Medals will be awarded to the first three teams of learners currently registered at any officially recognized school. They must not have received any Premier medals.
    

    Colours and Recognition

  Players can earn different colours based on their performance:

  • Protea Colours: Only players selected to represent South Africa in International Championships may earn National Colours. This happens 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. Also, 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 year, will earn Provincial Colours.
    

    General Information

  The championship will be played on February 27, 2026. The first round will start at 10:00 AM. Players will be given 60 minutes to complete each round. However, players playing 3 v 3 Rocket League will be given 1.5 hours to complete the round. The championship is accredited as being of the same status as a provincial championship. It will be used for awarding provincial colours and medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in Premier, Under 24, and School categories. It is also used for the ability to qualify for the National Team Squad.

  Rules for Umpires and Casting

  Umpires may only be contacted over Discord on the day of the competition. Any communication not on the Discord channel will not be entered into. All games will count towards the National Ladder. MSSA will decide who may shout-cast the games. Anybody wishing to be appointed as a Shout-Caster must apply in writing to the MSSA correspondence email.

  Other Events and News

  There are several other events and news items related to Mind Sports South Africa. The Northern Cape Online Esports Provincial Championships will be held on January 24, 2026. This offers the first chance in 2026 to qualify for National Team Trials. There is also the 15th Online Inter-school Provincial Championships on February 14, 2026. A City of Cape Town Regional Junior Backgammon event is scheduled for February 22, 2026.

  There are also global esports events. The Protea DotA 2 Esports team is heading towards GEG25 in Mumbai. Zaid Williams will represent South Africa in Clash Royale on February 7, 2026. Sydney Wood, from the Western Cape, was the first female esports athlete to play in the history of the BRICS Esports Championships.

  Regarding athlete rights, professional gamers in South Africa may wonder about salaries. Professional esports athletes must register for tax. There are employment opportunities, such as a Deputy Director for Sports Operations Management at TuksSport. Elin Yoojung Moen has been nominated for the Diversity Award at the HER Awards 2026.

Male Categories

There are different categories for medals. These are divided by gender and age group.

• CS 2: Played on PC. Age restriction is 16. Format is 5 v 5.
• PUBG Mobile: Played on Mobile. Age restriction is 18. Format is 1 v 1.
• Valorant: Played on PC. Age restriction is 16. Format is 5 v 5.
• Sport Games:
  • EA SPORTS FC 26: Played on Console. Age restriction is 12. Format is 1 v 1.
  • eFootball: Played on Console. Age restriction is 12. Format is 1 v 1.
  • eBasketball – eFIBA: Played on Console. Age restriction is 12. Format is 1 v 1.
  • Rocket League: Played on PC. Age restriction is 12. Format is 1 v 1 and 3 v 3.
  • MOBA Games:
    • Clash of Clans: Played on Mobile. Age restriction is 12. Format is 1 v 1.
    • Clash Royale: Played on Mobile. Age restriction is 12. Format is 1 v 1.
    • DotA 2: Played on PC. Age restriction is 12. Format is 5 v 5.
    • League of Legends: Played on PC. Age restriction is 12. Format is 5 v 5.
    • Mobile Legends Bang Bang: Played on Mobile. Age restriction is 12. Format is 4 v 4.
    • Fighting Games:
      • Tekken 8: Played on Console. Age restriction is 16. Format is 1 v 1.

      How the Tournament is Structured

    The tournament follows specific rules set by MSSA. The structure depends on how many teams enter:

    • If there are less than six teams, the championship will be a Round Robin Championship.
    • If 6 to 10 teams enter, there will be four rounds played to the Swiss System.

    Eligibility and Entry Rules

  Any team made up of players who are Registered Players affiliated to a MSSA member club may enter. To participate, you must follow these entry rules:

  • Entry costs R100.00 per Registered Player.
  • Only fully-paid-up Registered Players may participate in this event.
  • Entries must be submitted by midnight on February 27, 2026.
  • To enter, the club must complete the Google Drive document. The entry form can be found on Google Drive.
  • Clubs must download the entry form, fill out the downloaded form, and email it to Mind Sports South Africa.
  • Photographs of players must be sent along with the entry.

  Medals and Awards