South Africa claim ticket through to second round

Durban, South Africa, April 10, 2005 – South African fans got what they came to see when home favourites South Africa were declared winners of the 2006 Men’s World Championship first round tournament (Africa Pool B) after beating Mauritius 3-0 (25-19 25-18 25-22) on Sunday to advance through to the second round.

Sunday’s match saw both teams heading into the decider coming off a victory over the third side in the tournament Botswana earlier in the tournament but with a passionate crowd of 3,750 roaring them on, South Africa proved too strong and efficient to claim the victory, the tournament and the ticket through to the 2006 World Championship round two tournament (Africa Pool C), which will be held in Tunisia from July 26-30, which Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco are already confirmed to play in. Once the home side had opened an early lead in the first set there was no looking back for South Africa as they rode on the back of superb vocal support to easily claim the first set by six points. The second set margin was even better at seven points before Mauritius gave South Africa a run for their money in the third set before they could only watch them sprint clear at the end to seal the match in just over an hour.

The win saw South Africa finish the tournament unbeaten with two wins from two matches, Mauritius finish with a win and a loss and Botswana end in third place with two defeats.

The next tournament to feature in the 2006 Men’s World Championship is a first round event (Asia Pool B) in Ratchaburi, Thailand from April 29-May 1, 2005 featuring the hosts, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan where the two top place getters will advance to the second round.

The next tournament in the 2006 Women’s World Championship is a first round tournament (Norceca Pool A) where the Dutch Antilles, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands will play off in Jamaica from April 15-17, 2005 for the chance to advance to the second round.