SAPRF
INTERNATIONAL PRECISION RIFLE FEDERATION PR22 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SELECTION – 2026 - 2027
TEAM SELECTION PROCESS DOCUMENT
Selection document 2026 – V 1.1 dated 12 December 2025
OVERVIEW
The following document outlines the selection policy, processes and timelines that will be followed in order that SAPRF will fairly and transparently select athletes that are able to achieve the best possible results in international team capacities at the International Precision Rifle Federation PR22 Team World Championships in 2027.
The following National Team positions are available as per IPRF allocation per division:
- 4 - 6 Open Team positions
- 3 - 4 Factory Team positions
- 3 - 4 Ladies Open Team positions
- 3 - 4 Seniors Open Team positions
- 3 - 4 Juniors Open Team positions
It's important to remember that:
- A National Team is a representation of the National Federation, and therefore that National Federation may select, within the breadth of this selection policy, the Team to best represent them at the Precision Rifle World Championships.
- National Colours require that:
- The National Federation, applying for colours, has correctly aligned itself with the South African Sport Shooting Confederation and required national frameworks.
- A high enough standard must have been achieved before South African colours may be considered and awarded.
- South African National Colours are a privilege and not a right.
Given the significantly different match conditions at matches across South Africa, the standards and types of matches, the standards of the athletes competing at those matches, the ability for athletes to attend required matches, and including athlete form during the year a wholly objective based system of selecting individuals or teams is impossible. In recognizing this, this document attempts to significantly reduce the subjectivity of selection, and yet still allows for the highest standards to be met in fielding the best possible teams to represent the national Federation in achieving its aims.
In this regard the selection policy follows an objective-based policy in meeting capability milestones to determine a National Squad of available athletes. It is envisaged that by meeting these objective requirements, that the members on the National Squad are all of a high enough standard to represent SAPRF internationally, and that a panel of National Selectors (constituted by SAPRF) will subjectively decide the final individuals selected for a National Team, based on criteria laid out herein.
DEFINITIONS
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ExCo | The SAPRF National Executive Committee |
| SAPRF | South African Practical Precision Rifle Federation NPC. Selection Points — Points accumulated by SAPRF athletes at International or National Matches within their respective Divisions. |
| National Squad | Those athletes achieving the requirements to be selected to the National Team(s). |
| National Team(s) | An Open, Factory, Ladies, Juniors, Seniors Team is made up of the Athletes selected by SAPRF to represent them at the PR22 World IPRF Team Championships. Where such Divisions are approved by the IPRF. |
| Qualifying Period | From and including the SAPRF PR22 National Championships run from January 2026 to December 31 2026 |
| SASSCo | South African Sports Shooting Confederation. |
| SASCOC | South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. |
| Selectors | The appointed Selectors of SAPRF. |
| Selection Process | The Selection Process commences 1st January 2026 and ends on 31st December 2026. |
| IPRF World Championships | IPRF World Championships – August 2027 (Venue TBA). |
| National Provincial Match | A Sanctioned Provincial 1 Day SAPRF Match. |
| National Match | A Sanctioned National 2 Day SAPRF Match. |
| International Match | An IPRF sanctioned 2 Day Match worldwide. |
TIMELINE
The Selection Process will follow an ongoing participation format, where:
The following milestones outline the selection process:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 December 2026 | Athletes compete in SAPRF PR22 National series - the National Provincial series, National 2 day matches and mandatory SA Championships match. |
| 30 November 2026 | All Athletes interested and eligible to compete at the 2027 IPRF Precision Rifle World Championships must have declared their intention to participate. |
| 31 December 2026 | Final match cut-off date. No further qualifying points may be earned after this date. |
| 16-28 January 2027 | National Teams selection. |
| 12 January 2027 | SAPRF must have constituted their Panel of Selectors. |
| 30 January 2027 | National Teams announced. |
| August 2027 | International Precision Rifle PR22 World Championships or as determined by IPRF |
GENERAL SELECTION PROCESS CONDITIONS
At all times throughout the Selection Process, the athlete must:
- be able and willing to undertake any matches, training and competition programs recommended by the Selectors after consultation with the athlete, unless a written exemption has been granted by the ExCo or the Selectors, in response to a timely written request from the athlete for an exemption.
- satisfy any additional preconditions advised in writing to the athlete by ExCo prior to or at the time of selection for the National Team.
- notify ExCo that they are not suffering any physical or mental impairment that may prevent them from competing at the International Precision Rifle World Championships 2027 to the highest possible standard.
Note:
- To claim Selection Points, a competitor MUST be a full member of SAPRF, prior to the start of the timeline for selection
- Selection Points are only able to be claimed up to 31 December 2026.
ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY
For any athlete to be eligible for selection to compete at the IPRF World Championships the athlete will be required to fulfil and maintain the following until after the Championships have concluded:
- be a paid-up Member of SAPRF in good standing at the start of the selection period (timeline);
- be a South African Citizen.
- reside within the province to which they are affiliated or;
- be a member of a SAPRF recognized Club.
- reside within South Africa;
- exceptions may be granted for South African citizens who are not currently residing in South Africa, on the condition that they have participated in the 2026 SAPRF PR22 Season SA Championship match.
- complete the 'Eligibility to Compete' forms and such forms must have been received by the ExCo.
NATIONAL SQUAD QUALIFICATION
Eligible Athletes will have to meet the following requirements to progress to the National squad.
Athletes will, in the Qualifying Period be required to have:
- Competed in the SAPRF PR22 2026 National/International PR22 series.
- Compete in a minimum of 3 National Provincial 1-day PR22 Matches.
- Competed in a minimum of 2 International/National 2-day matches, of which 1 of those matches must be out of the shooters home province/state.
- Competed in the mandatory SA championship match of the same year.
- Scoring system:
- From the minimum of 3 National Provincial 1-day PR22 Matches, a shooter will be allocated points from 3 of those matches (highest 3 scores). Each of those matches (there will be 3) will count 10% each towards selection with a maximum allocation of points been 30%.
- From the minimum of 2 International/National 2-day matches PR22 Matches, a shooter will be allocated points from both those matches. Each match will count 20% towards selection, thus a total of 40% will allocated towards selection from the 2-day national series matches.
- From the mandatory SA championship match held at the end of the season, a shooters score for this match will be allocated at 30% towards the selection process.
- In summary:
- 3 × 1 day matches — 30%
- 2 × 2 day matches — 40%
- 1 × SA Champs — 30%
- Total accumulated points — 100%
- Highest accumulated score of the divisional winners will be used to calculate your score in your respective division at the end of the season only.
- This calculated score per division will be used for the selection of the SA Protea Team per division only.
- Protea colours may be awarded to those athletes with an accumulated score of 85 % and above in their respective divisions. Shooters below 85% may be awarded Federation colours.
Note regarding Federation and Protea colours
- SAPRF Federation colours may be awarded to those athletes that represent SAPRF at the IPRF PR22 2027 Precision Rifle World Championships.
- SAPRF will provide motivation to SASSCo for Protea Colours for those athletes that achieve the 85 % minimum score in their respective division to represent SAPRF at the IPRF PR22 2027 Precision Rifle World Championships. Athletes that did not achieve the 85 % minimum score will be awarded Federation Colours.
- The awarding of Protea Colours is the remit of SASCOC, and their decision to award any such colours is final.
- There is no guarantee that SASCOC will award Protea colours to all/any athletes that achieve 85 % qualification requirements for Protea colours in their respective divisions.
NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION – 16 – 28 JANUARY 2027
The National Team(s) will be deliberated on by the selectors in the third week of January 2027:
- Open Team: 4-6 Athletes
- Factory Team: 3-4 Athletes
- Ladies Open Team: 3-4 Athletes
- Junior Open Team: 3-4 Athletes
- Senior Open Team: 3-4 Athletes
During the Qualifying Period Athletes in the National Squad may be required to:
- Take part in matches as determined by the Selectors and Exco.
- Compete to the satisfaction of the Selectors at National Matches in order that the Selectors can be satisfied with the fitness of the Athletes.
The Selectors will review all the National Squad Athletes and select, at their discretion, the most appropriate Athletes for the National Team Positions as per the Selectors Evaluation Process.
Where there are insufficient athletes to meet the requirements of a Team, the selectors may, at their discretion selects up to 2 athletes to compete as Individuals.
National Team selection will be published by 30 January 2027.
NATIONAL TEAM FITNESS
From the end of the Qualification Period until the 2027 IPRF PR22 Precision Rifle World Championships, the National Team may be required to:
- take part in matches as determined by the Selectors and Exco.
- compete to the satisfaction of the Selectors at National Matches in order that the Selectors can be satisfied with the fitness of the Athletes.
SELECTORS
A selector shall be nominated to a Selection Committee by National EXCo. The chairman of such a committee will be elected from within the committee by majority.
The selectors will be responsible for managing the selection process. Until such time as the Selection Committee is formed, the ExCo committee will manage the selection process.
SELECTORS EVALUATION PROCESS
In evaluating the performances of Athletes, the Selectors may take into account, and have the discretion to place a greater emphasis on one or more of the following, or other factors not listed below that are relevant in the opinion of the selectors, in considering athletes for selection:
- The Selectors shall consider performances of athletes at International Matches during the Qualification Period.
- The Selectors may, in their sole discretion, place greater emphasis on results achieved at Nominated and/or Mandatory Competitions.
- Placings in any head-to-head performances will be considered but will not automatically position one Athlete above another for selection.
- Replacing of athletes across divisions will be allowed to select the best possible National team. This is the exception rather than the rule – No athlete who accumulated 85 % and higher in their respective division may be replaced with an athlete from another division.
- Competition-based factors will be taken into consideration when assessing each Athletes performance, these include, but are not restricted to:
- The performance of the Athletes in relation to the quality and number of competitors.
- The technical features of the various qualifying matches.
- The quality of the shooting by an Athlete.
- The general conditions under which the performance is achieved, such as the weather, wind and other performance influencing factors.
- The suitability of the Athlete, taking into account the objective of the team and individual competition and the type of Athlete required to achieve the best possible Team results in the expected conditions.
- The ability and experience of the Athlete to compete successfully at high level national competition. Consideration will be given to:
- The ability, or potential ability, of the Athlete to perform under the stress and pressure of a National Championship.
- The ability of the Athlete to prepare themselves to peak condition for a major campaign / competition.
- The ability of the Athlete to contribute towards an effective Team environment.
- The demonstrated ability of the Athlete that they are a suitable representative.
- Consistency of performance and the likelihood of a suitable performance to contribute towards a team spirit and score may be considered (if applicable).
APPEALS
Appeals concerning the non-selection of an Athlete for a Squad, Team and/or Individual positions will be heard by a SAPRF Appeal Committee in accordance with the SAPRF constitution and Judicial Code.
There will be one level of appeal only with the sole grounds for an Appeal being that the Selection Policy process was not properly followed and/or implemented.
Only Athletes may appeal their non-selection.
An Athlete must lodge their notice of intention to appeal in writing with SAPRF within 3 working days from the date of the announcement of the National Squad or any subsequent Squad processes, and such notice must state the specific reason of appeal.
An appeal fee of R5,000.00 (Five Thousand Rands) shall be lodged by the athlete in favor of SAPRF. Such fee shall be refunded to the athlete should their appeal be upheld.
SUBSTITUTION / REPLACEMENT OF ATHLETES
Following selection of the Squad, or National Team positions if:
- in the opinion of the Selectors, in consultation with the National ExCo, there has been a loss of form or fitness by an Athlete. The loss of form must be assessed to be likely to be sustained and affect performance at the IPRF World Championships; or
- an Athlete contravenes their Athlete Agreement, SAPRF Rules and Regulations, or SAPRF Code of Conduct, or SAPRF Constitution, or SAPRF social media Policy, or any other published SAPRF rule, regulation, code or agreement; or
- an Athlete voluntarily removes themselves,
then that Athlete may be replaced, by another Athlete selected from the National Squad by the Selectors.
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
In exceptional circumstances, and only with regards to the National Squad requirements, the Selectors may, having received a written request, provide written advice to an athlete that the Selectors will waive:
- The requirement to achieve the National Squad Requirements. Exceptional circumstances may include, but are not limited to situations were, in the opinion of the Selectors:
- a reliable and consistent Athlete would meet the Team Objective of the National Team and provide an effective balance within the Team.
- Exceptional circumstances may include, but are not limited to situations where an athlete could not shoot the mandatory SA Champs match.
- involving the cancellation or postponement of an IPRF/SAPRF International match.
POWER TO AMEND
This policy can be amended at any time by SAPRF if SAPRF is of the opinion that such an amendment is necessary as a result of any change in the National or International guidelines, to give effect to the policy following discovery of a drafting error or oversight or for any other reason determined to be in the best interests of SAPRF by SAPRF.
SAPRF shall not be responsible or liable in any way to anyone as a result of any such amendment.
Any variation, amendments or clarifications to this policy will only be valid when published to the www.precisionrifle.co.za/documents/ web page.
NATIONAL TEAM ELIGIBILITY FORM
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| SAPRF/PRS-SA No | |
| Address | |
| Tel No | |
| Mobile No | |
| ID No. | |
| Province | |
| District | |
| Primary Club | |
| Division(s) |
I would like to be considered for a National PR22 Precision Rifle Team.
- In the event of my being selected, I will ensure that I will be able to attend the 2027 International Precision Rifle PR22 World Championships.
- In the event of ill health of myself, or any other circumstance that might prevent me from attending the Championships, I undertake to inform ExCo immediately.
- I will make myself available to attend any training, team building and/or competitions to be held prior to the Championship.
- I agree to actively participate in a manner which reflects true sportsmanship and help build team spirit.
- I am aware of the financial implications of attending the championships and I am in a position to finance my attendance at this championship.
- In the event of my obtaining National Colours, I agree to wear these colours proudly and always put the needs of my Nation and my Team ahead of my own.
- I agree to purchase any required attire.
- I accept that the decision of the selectors is final and that no further discussions will be entered into.
- I agree to abide by the decisions made by the Team Manager.
| Signed | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
Please complete and send to exco@precisionrifle.co.za.