The competition is getting tougher, the stakes are getting higher, and South Africa’s esports community continues to prove that gaming is more than just a hobby.
The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience made its latest stop at Table Bay Mall, where gamers from across the Western Cape gathered for an action-packed weekend of competitive play. From football simulations and virtual reality to fighting games and racing challenges, players competed for Table Bay Mall gift cards, valuable qualification points and the opportunity to advance to the prestigious Canal Walk National Finals.
As South Africa’s biggest mall-based gaming tournament continues its nationwide tour, every regional event brings competitors one step closer to esports glory.
A Weekend of High-Level Competition
The latest leg of the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience showcased the diversity of South Africa’s growing gaming community.
Competitors tested their skills across several popular gaming titles and interactive challenges, including:
- EA FC 26™
- Beat Saber
- Fighting Cup – Brawlhalla
- Fighting Cup – Tekken
- Fighting Cup – Street Fighter
- Toyota Gaming Engine Fastest Lap
- Keyboard Rebuild Challenge
- Subway Surf Challenge
With more than just prizes on the line, every match carried additional significance as players earned qualification points toward the National Finals.
EA FC 26™ Champion Books National Finals Spot
One of the tournament’s biggest moments came in the EA FC 26™ competition.
Imran Vallie (22) emerged victorious to claim:
- First Place
- R2,500 Table Bay Mall gift card
- Qualification for the Canal Walk National Final
The remaining podium finishers were:
- Second: Athenkosi Duva (28) – R1,500 Table Bay Mall gift card
- Third: Joshua Gamaroff (16) – R1,000 Table Bay Mall gift card
The victory secures Vallie’s place among the growing list of competitors heading to the National Finals later this year.
Champions Across Every Competition
The competitive spirit extended across every tournament category.
Beat Saber
- Winner: Ruarc Rees-Davies (18) – R1,000 Table Bay Mall gift card
Keyboard Rebuild Challenge
- Friday: Conor Neeson – R500 Table Bay Mall gift card
- Saturday: Tony Kaspersen (25) – R500 Table Bay Mall gift card
- Sunday: Nathan Williams (12) – R500 Table Bay Mall gift card
Fighting Cup – Brawlhalla
- First: Jordan Schwameder (17) – R1,000 gift card
- Second: Joshua Lamarina (18) – R500 gift card
Fighting Cup – Tekken
- First: Ofee Wentworth (30) – R1,000 gift card
- Second: Waseem Satardien (31) – R500 gift card
Fighting Cup – Street Fighter
- First: Masood Salie (30) – R1,000 gift card
- Second: Riyaaz Calvert (34) – R500 gift card
Toyota Gaming Engine Fastest Lap
- Friday: Taariq Adam (24) – R1,000 gift card
- Saturday: Winner chose to remain anonymous – R1,000 gift card
- Sunday: Nicalai Heyat (16) – R1,000 gift card
Subway Surf Challenge
- Winner: Chose to remain anonymous – R1,000 Table Bay Mall gift card
Each winner added their name to the growing list of standout competitors emerging from this year’s nationwide tournament.
Growing South Africa’s Esports Community
Beyond the prizes, the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience continues to provide aspiring gamers with an opportunity to compete in a professional live tournament environment.
Hosted at Hyprop shopping centres across Gauteng and the Western Cape, the tournament welcomes players of different ages and skill levels while helping showcase the rapid growth of esports in South Africa.
With more than R250,000 in prizes available throughout the competition, each regional event builds momentum toward the National Finals.
The Road to Canal Walk Continues
The journey is far from over.
Gamers still have several opportunities to qualify before the tournament reaches its conclusion at Canal Walk.
Remaining Tournament Schedule
Clearwater
- Online Qualifier: 25 July
- In-Centre Event: 31 July – 2 August
Capegate
- Online Qualifier: 9 August
- In-Centre Event: 14 – 16 August
Canal Walk
- Online Qualifier: 16 August
- In-Centre Event: 26 – 30 August
Players can register online through acgl.gg/mtnshift or sign up during participating in-mall events.
With every qualifier producing new champions and fresh rivalries, South Africa’s biggest mall-based gaming tournament is building toward an exciting finale where the country’s best gamers will compete for national honours.
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