Devon Petersen returns to the World Cup of Darts: South African books his place after winning qualifier

Devon Petersen will make his return to the World Cup of Darts in June. The South African secured his spot by winning the African Darts Group qualifying tournament last weekend.

Petersen defeated compatriot Johan Geldenhuys 8-4 in a decisive clash in the town of Kimberley. Early on, both players matched each other, but midway through the match Petersen seized control. With five legs won in the last six, he wrapped up the contest convincingly.

It means Petersen will represent his country at the global team event for the twelfth time. In Frankfurt, he will once again team up with Graham Filby, with whom he tasted success a decade ago. In 2014, the South African pair reached the quarterfinals, their second appearance in the last eight.

It’s not just South Africa that has finalized its team. China has also confirmed its lineup for the tournament in Frankfurt. Qingyu Zhan and Xiaochen Zong will form the Asian duo.

Both players impressed during the opening weekend of the China ProTour, each claiming two titles. That put them first and second on the national rankings at the time of qualification. For Zhan, it will be his World Cup of Darts debut, while Zong is set for his fourth consecutive appearance.

The World Cup of Darts will be held from June 11 to June 14 in Frankfurt and features forty national teams. The defending champion is Northern Ireland, which claimed the title for the first time last year. The Northern Irish duo Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney edged Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton of Wales 10-9 in last year’s final.

With a total prize fund of £500,000, there is more at stake than ever. The blend of established names and new pairings promises another compelling and unpredictable team tournament.