South Africa to Host Africa’s Junior Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier in Polokwane

Tennis South Africa (TSA), in partnership with the City of Polokwane Municipality, has announced that South Africa will host Africa’s official qualifying tournament for the Junior Billie Jean King Cup, the premier girls’ team competition in junior tennis, with the announcement confirmed in Pretoria on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.

The qualification event will be contested through the 15th African Junior Team Championships, which take place at the Polokwane Tennis Club in Limpopo from 20 to 25 July 2026. The tournament brings together Africa’s leading 16-and-under players, with nations competing for continental honours and for qualification to the Junior Billie Jean King Cup Finals, the highest level of international team competition in junior tennis.

“We are incredibly proud that South Africa has been awarded the opportunity to host the Africa Junior Team and Individual Championships for players 16 and under.”

Tennis SA General Manager, Anthony Moruthane

The event forms part of a broader continental championship programme, with the 49th African Junior Individual Championships scheduled to follow from 27 to 30 July 2026. Both tournaments are hosted under the auspices of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The championships are expected to attract Africa’s top junior players, coaches, officials and international delegates, making it one of the most significant junior tennis events hosted in Limpopo and a major milestone for South African tennis.

The Junior Billie Jean King Cup is widely regarded as the junior equivalent of the senior Billie Jean King Cup, giving young players the opportunity to represent their countries on the global stage. Many of today’s leading professional players launched their international careers through these prestigious team competitions.

South Africa secured the hosting rights following significant upgrades undertaken by the City of Polokwane Municipality at the Polokwane Tennis Club in 2024, positioning the venue to host international tennis events of this magnitude. The country now joins a select group of African nations entrusted with hosting one of the continent’s most important junior qualification events.

The championships will feature leading tennis nations from across Africa, including South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Algeria and Togo, among others, with teams competing for continental supremacy and coveted qualification places at the world finals.

Moruthane welcomed the announcement and highlighted the significance of the event for South African tennis and youth development.

“These competitions represent the pinnacle of junior team tennis in Africa and provide young players with a pathway to compete against the world’s best. 

“Many of today’s international stars began their journeys through these events, making them a critical stepping stone in player development. Hosting the championships on home soil will not only provide our players with a world-class competitive opportunity but will also inspire the next generation of South African tennis players and showcase our ability to deliver major international sporting events,” said Moruthane. 

“We are grateful to the Confederation of African Tennis, the International Tennis Federation and the City of Polokwane Municipality for their confidence and partnership in bringing this prestigious event to South Africa.”

Polokwane Municipality spokesperson Thipa Selala also welcomed the announcement.

“We are profoundly honoured to stand alongside Tennis South Africa in hosting these prestigious continental championships. Beyond the courts, we believe these championships will ignite the aspirations of a new generation of African tennis talent while simultaneously stimulating tourism, unlocking economic opportunities and further positioning Limpopo as a rising sporting powerhouse on the African continent,” said Selala.

“As a municipality, we eagerly look forward to welcoming Africa’s brightest young tennis stars, officials, delegates and supporters to the City of Stars in July 2026 for what promises to be a celebration of talent, unity and continental sporting excellence.”

The hosting of the championships forms part of TSA’s broader vision to position South Africa as a leading destination for international tennis events while driving grassroots participation, high-performance development and continental collaboration through sport.

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Original Copy: Tennis SA, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Morakane Molaoa is expected to be part of South Africa’s challenge when the country hosts Africa’s Junior Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tournament at the Polokwane Tennis Club in Limpopo from 20 to 25 July 2026. Photo: Supplied