They are facing a battle against some of the continent's top teams, but South Africa are confident of putting up a fight in front of their home crowd when the 2023 Davis Cup Africa Group III tournament starts in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The SA team was drawn in Group A on Tuesday and will face Ivory Coast, Algeria and Togo in the round-robin competition, while Group B will feature Zimbabwe, Benin, Namibia and Senegal.
"The toughest competition in our group will probably be Ivory Coast. They have a player ranked in the top 400 (world No 389 Eliakim Coulibaly)," SA captain Christo van Rensburg said after the official draw, held at Sanctuary, Freedom Park in Tshwane.
"But it's going to be tough from the first match and we will have some new guys playing for South Africa. At least this format gives me a chance to have a look at all the players because we will be playing four days in a row."
The four-member SA team includes experienced Davis Cup player Philip Henning, 19-year-old Devin Badenhorst, uncapped prospect Dylan Salton - who will lead the squad based on his ranking - and exciting 16-year-old talent Leo Matthysen, the nation's top-ranked junior.
They will be up against Algeria in their opening fixture on Wednesday, and Van Rensburg hoped the home crowd support would assist in carrying them to victory.
"Having the players with their families here, and the crowd support, is great," Van Rensburg said.
"Unfortunately in our last four ties South Africa played away, so to come back and play on home soil is always special. Playing for your country and seeing people in the stands is what we live for and dream about."
Showcasing some of the continent's best teams and players, the Davis Cup Africa Group III tournament will promote tennis at all levels of the game.
"We believe in the benefits of hosting major events, which are part of our economic recovery plan," said Department of Sport and Recreation Deputy Director General Summaya Khan.
"We also believe, for the sport itself, we need to have events like this, so it inspires the next generation of tennis players.
"For us as administrators, our key focus is making sure we develop young people to participate in sport, not only to become elite athletes one day - which is the ultimate aim - but also for us to make sure they have active and healthy lifestyles."
Each of the eight teams will contest three ties between Wednesday and Friday and the playoffs will be held on Saturday, with all matches being played at Tuks Tennis, University of Pretoria.
The top teams in each group will be automatically promoted to the Davis Cup World Group II playoffs in 2024, along with the winner of the playoff between the two teams which finish second.
The bottom team in each group will be relegated to Africa Group IV next season.
