A milestone moment for the African phygital gaming community unfolded recently as South Africa hosted the inaugural Phygital Shooter event on the continent. Held at Game Gamenet in Waverly, Pretoria, this pioneering tournament brought together eight competitive teams to battle it out in a hybrid showdown that fused digital precision and physical skill.
The concept of Phygital — blending physical and digital competition — is rapidly gaining traction across the globe as a revolutionary format that bridges the worlds of esports and real-world athletic endeavour. The Games of the Future series, an international phygital multi-sport event, has showcased this format on the global stage, with the upcoming 2026 edition in Astana, Kazakhstan set to host Phygital Shooter alongside other disciplines such as Phygital Football and Phygital Basketball in July 2026.
World Phygital Community
A New Champion Emerges: Team Hybrid
Eight teams competed fiercely in Pretoria, but it was Team Hybrid that rose above the rest, securing the championship with an impressive display of strategy, communication, and adaptability. The winning lineup featured standout competitors:
Michael Van der Walt
Jacques Van der Walt
Seth Boryna
Sean Van Niekerk
Kayden Wethmar
Their victory marks a first for an African-based squad in the Phygital Shooter arena, setting a benchmark for future regional tournaments and spotlighting local talent in this emerging sport.
What Is Phygital Shooter?
Phygital Shooter is a dynamic, hybrid discipline that merges a competitive digital shooter format — often using popular tactics-based video games — with a physical stage of real-world action, such as laser tag or similar tactical movement arenas.
Phygital Games of the Future +1
This innovative format tests athletes not just on screen accuracy or strategy but also on physical coordination, teamwork, and real-time decision-making — creating a uniquely demanding competitive landscape that resonates with both gamers and sports fans.
Looking Towards Astana: GOTF 2026
With this title under their belts, Team Hybrid now sets its sights on the international stage. They are poised to represent South Africa — and Africa — at the prestigious Games of the Future 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan from 18 July to 1 August 2026. This global event is one of the premier showcases of phygital sport, with elite competitors from around the world vying for top honours across multiple disciplines.
World Phygital Community
The Phygital Movement in Africa: What It Means
The success of the Pretoria event underscores a burgeoning appetite for phygital competition across the continent. Here’s how this discipline can help bolster the phygital movement in Africa:
1. Bridging Digital and Physical Engagement
Phygital formats help dissolve the traditional divide between esports and physical sport, providing platforms where gamers and athletes can develop versatile skills. This inclusivity encourages broader participation from youth and diverse communities.
2. Talent Development and Global Opportunities
Local phygital tournaments give African competitors measurable pathways to global events like the Games of the Future, offering exposure, potential prize earnings, and opportunities to excel on an international stage.
3. Tech and Sport Ecosystem Growth
Hosting such events galvanizes investment in related infrastructure — arenas, gaming hubs, training facilities — which can stimulate local economies and support tech-friendly job creation.
4. Community and Cultural Impact
Phygital events create communal hubs for fans, families, and competitors, enhancing social engagement and fostering a culture that values both digital fluency and physical athleticism.
A Bright Horizon Ahead
South Africa’s successful hosting of the first Phygital Shooter event in Africa marks the beginning of what could be a thriving regional competitive circuit. With Team Hybrid leading the charge, the continent’s presence at the Games of the Future 2026 looks set to inspire a new generation of phygital athletes — proving that Africa can not only participate in but help shape the rapidly evolving world of hybrid sport.
Content provided by Phygital South Africa