Accuracy and Precision Highlight Day Three at Dirkie Uys Range
Under crystal-clear skies with only a gentle breeze, military contingents from South Africa, Namibia, the Netherlands, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe assembled at the Dirkie Uys Shooting Range outside Potchefstroom, next to 4 Artillery Regiment, for a rigorous test of focus, endurance, and technical weapon proficiency.
Strict Formats on the Rifle and Pistol Ranges
The day's events required participants to navigate two challenging marksmanship categories designed to replicate the immense pressure of tactical operations:
R4 Rifle Category: Competitors engaged targets from the prone position at a distance of 200 metres, using 5.56mm ammunition.
Pistol Category: Shooters used standard Z88 and SP1 9mm pistols, firing from a standing position at targets positioned 25 metres away.
In each discipline, competitors were allocated twenty-five rounds, which they were required to shoot in three strict phases: five "sighter" shots to assess target alignment and wind conditions, ten "deliberate/precision" shots, and ten "rapid-fire" rounds executed under strict, fast-paced time constraints. For international participants, adapting quickly to South Africa’s R4 assault rifle and standard service pistols proved to be a challenging test, as many had to abandon familiar weapon systems in favor of local issue equipment.
Safety remained paramount throughout the day. Range safety officers, armourers, and technical staff carefully managed the lanes, issuing ammunition, overseeing the firing sequences, and ensuring strict compliance with military range protocols. Behind the firing lines, at backstop and administration tables, scores were carefully adjudicated and posted, eliciting a mixture of triumph and focus among the international and domestic participants.
Scoreboard and Current National Representative Positions
Following the completion of the shooting disciplines, scoreboard updates show South Africa holding a strong leading position in the cumulative points tally, which merges individual rifle and pistol scores.
Based on the combined individual points recorded so far, the scoreboard reflects the following standings:
| Place | Country | Recorded Individual Points | Highlights |
| 1 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 5 800 | Strong performances across both categories |
| 2 | 🇳🇱 The Netherlands | 884 | High concentration and consistent groupings |
| 3 | 🇳🇦 Namibia | 840 | Steady scores under rapid-fire conditions |
| 4 | 🇿🇲 Zambia | 632 | Solid team-wide accuracy |
| 5 | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | 316.4 | Showing growing comfort on standard-issue arms |
| 6 | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | 316 | Individual rifle (80 pts) & pistol (236 pts) |
(Note: These calculated country totals reflect the combined individual points on the rifle and pistol scoreboard, with official national team standings still to be confirmed as the competition progresses.)
The focus on weapon handiwork was well-received by the troops, with participants emphasizing the practical value of the training. "Upon returning to my unit, I intend to take every opportunity, over and above our scheduled Table 2 shooting exercises, to engage in musketry practice and keep these skills sharp," one South African competitor noted, highlighting the event’s educational impact on combat readiness.
Preparations Turn to the Demanding Land Obstacle Course
With the shooting disciplines completed, teams returned to base to prepare both mentally and physically for what many consider to be the most demanding and physically explosive phase of the entire tournament: the Land Obstacle Course, scheduled to run on Friday, 30 October. As an open event, the public is welcome to make their way to the Kopanelo Sports Grounds to experience the intense competitive nature of the challenge firsthand.
All image credits: https://www.facebook.com/SANationalDefenceForce
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