SA Army wraps up combat rifle shooting competition in Bloemfontein

Teams from Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe joined South African Army regulars and reservists for the final day of the Chief of the South African Army Combat Rifle Shooting Competition 2026 on Friday at the General De Wet Classification Shooting Range outside Bloemfontein.

The competition, which ran from Tuesday 26 to Thursday 29 May, saw competitors battle it out in the Table 2 and Adapted Table 13 categories before the top shooters gathered on a cold Free State morning for the concluding Adapted Table 13 event.

A South African Army Major and Rifleman carefully prepare their ammunition and equipment during the final evaluation day's proceedings. — A South African Army Major and Rifleman carefully prepare their ammunition and equipment during the final evaluation day’s proceedings.

The international teams lined up alongside two composite teams, A and B, drawn from the best of the South African Army’s regular and reserve forces. Competitors prepared their equipment, battle jackets and ammunition for the final assault rifle skills test, with camaraderie and banter on show as the sun rose over the range.

South African Army competitors fire on their targets from the prone position. Photo by SANDF

The Adapted Table 13 event required competitors to traverse from the 400m firing point down to 300m, then 200m and finally 100m, firing from prone, kneeling and standing positions at each stage. Competitors had to manage their own pace while accounting for the effect of physical exertion on heart rate, breathing and ultimately their aim and accuracy.

Participants from Mozambique fire on their targets. Photo by SANDF

Those not shooting on the day served below ground level downrange, raising and lowering targets, a role that placed them directly beneath live rifle fire.

With the final all-clear called by the Range Safety Officer at the 100m mark, competitors made their weapons safe and marked the end of the competition together.

Members of South African Army Regulars Team B charge to their next firing point during the final Chief of the South African Army Combat Rifle Shooting Evaluation 2026 day's Adjusted Table (13) Fire and Movement "Run Down" — Members of South African Army Regulars Team B charge to their next firing point during the final Chief of the South African Army Combat Rifle Shooting Evaluation 2026 day’s Adjusted Table (13) Fire and Movement “Run Down”

The South African Army said the event was built on cooperation between the host nation and its international guests, with the experience offering lessons that reflected the words of Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu: “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”