South Africa’s national tennis team will shift their focus to the upcoming Davis Cup World Group II Playoffs, as they prepare to face Nigeria on February 1-2 next year. Key details surrounding the tie have been confirmed ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
This will mark South Africa’s first Davis Cup encounter since their 3-1 defeat to Lebanon in Cairo during the playoffs in September. The upcoming tie will take place at Groenkloof Tennis Stadium in Pretoria, on hard court at altitude, offering the home side familiar conditions.
Nigeria, ranked 78th in the Davis Cup standings, earned their place in the playoffs by advancing from a six-team Group III tournament held in Abuja earlier this year. South Africa, currently ranked 53rd, will look to capitalize on home advantage and bounce back from their previous playoff disappointment.
The winner of the tie will progress to a World Group II contest scheduled for September 2025, while the losing nation will compete in a regional Group III event later in the year.
Tennis South Africa (TSA) president Gavin Crookes expressed optimism about the upcoming clash. “We look forward to hosting Nigeria for what is an important tie for both teams as they aim to climb the international ladder,” Crookes said. “We expect the South African squad to deliver a strong performance, and we encourage local tennis fans to come out and support our players as they represent the nation on home soil.”
Event Schedule
| Event | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa Captain Pre-draw | Thursday, 30 January 2025 | 11:00 | Groenkloof Tennis Club, Pretoria |
| Nigeria Captain Pre-draw | Thursday, 30 January 2025 | 12:00 | Groenkloof Tennis Club, Pretoria |
| Official Draw | Friday, 31 January 2025 | 11:00 | Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum |
| Match Day 1 | Saturday, 1 February 2025 | 11:00 | Groenkloof Tennis Club, Pretoria |
| Match Day 2 | Sunday, 2 February 2025 | 10:30 | Groenkloof Tennis Club, Pretoria |
Understanding the Davis Cup World Group II Format
The 2025 World Group II Playoffs will take place on a home-or-away basis from January 31 to February 2. Winning nations will advance to the next round in September 2025, while the losing teams will enter regional Group III tournaments.
World Group II ties are scheduled for September 12-14, with host nations selecting the specific dates. The 13 nations that emerge victorious will move on to the 2026 World Group I Playoffs, while losing teams will enter the 2026 World Group II Playoffs.
The upcoming tie presents an important opportunity for South Africa to assert themselves on the international stage and build momentum for future Davis Cup campaigns.
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