South Africa emerged triumphant on home soil on Saturday, sweeping to a 3-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the final of the Davis Cup Africa Group III tournament held at TuksTennis, University of Pretoria.
Promising teenager Devin Badenhorst beat Takura Mhwandagara 6-1, 6-2 in the first singles contest, before Philip Henning defeated Benedict Badza 6-4, 6-0.
In the doubles match, 17-year-old Leo Matthysen combined with fellow Davis Cup debutant Christiaan Worst to secure a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Badza and Mhwandagara.
2023 @DavisCup Africa Group III Champions...
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) August 12, 2023
?? South Africa ??????
South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3? - 0? to claim the African Championship title in Davis Cup. ??#DavisCup @SportArtsCultur @TeamSA2024 @Lottosportza @DunlopSportsSA @CityTshwane pic.twitter.com/2Uv8geroz8
"The guys really performed above expectations, so we're very excited. We're such a close-knit team," said SA captain Christo van Rensburg.
"We're now moving up to the World Group II playoffs, so every match will get tougher, but these guys are going to remember this week for a long time. The crowd was great.
"How they performed, stayed together and stuck to the game plan, it was priceless to see."
Looking ahead to the 2024 Davis Cup campaign, Van Rensburg was eager for the young national squad to climb the rankings in the global men's team competition.
"It will be very exciting to see how much these guys are going to grow with experience over the next few months and years," the skipper said.
"So, they're coming in and adding value, and then you still have some of the higher ranked South African guys at the top who might be available.
"We belong about two groups above where we are now. That's our goal and it's where we want to go."
Meanwhile, Togo beat Benin 2-1 in the third-place battle, grabbing the final available spot in the Davis Cup World Group II playoffs.
In the relegation playoffs, Cote D'Ivoire beat Senegal 2-0 and Namibia defeated Algeria 2-1.
Senegal and Algeria were relegated to Davis Cup Africa Group VI, while Benin, Cote D'Ivoire and Namibia retained their places in Africa Group III.
It's a wrap for the @DavisCup Africa Group III!
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) August 12, 2023
Congratulations to the teams promoted to the World Group II playoffs ??
?? South Africa
?? Zimbabwe
?? Togo
See you next year at the Davis Cup World Group II playoffs in 2024.#DavisCup@SportArtsCultur @TeamSA2024 pic.twitter.com/gM0JT91Ykn
© Tennis SA