Johannesburg – This weekend, South African students will have a chance to join their international counterparts at the Bull Campus Clutch, the global university student esports VALORANT (a free-to-play first-person hero shooter multi-player video game) tournament.
Returning for its second year, the competition is open to all college and university students worldwide.
It gives players a chance to team up, represent their campus and put their skills on display, with the chance to play on the world stage.
Six qualifying events took place in August and September across South Africa and this weekend, the winners of each qualifier will advance to the national final taking place at Comic Con Africa in the national final competition in Joburg from Thursday to Sunday (September 22 - 25, 2022).
The national champions will then get an opportunity to shine on the global stage at the Red Bull Campus Clutch World Final, at an event held in São Paulo, Brazil in December.
Not only will the winning team represent their country, but they could also walk away with €20 000 (R350 220) in prize money as well as an exclusive VIP experience at a 2023 VALORANT Champions Tour event.
Red Bull Campus Clutch is a grassroots esports initiative bringing up-and-coming student VALORANT players of every skill level together as they team up and experience competitive gaming as they have never before.
In its first year, the tournament brought over 400 events to 50 countries and showcased up-and-coming talent who went on to establish a career in the pro scene.
Red Bull Campus Clutch gives teams from more than 50 countries the opportunity to develop and prove their skills against players from all over the world, and experience firsthand what it takes to compete like a pro player.
As the esports industry continues to grow, university Esports host and shoutcaster, Sam Wright believes that this type of online gaming plays a pivotal role in ensuring the ecosystem remains sustainable and provides a much-needed path for new talent to shine.
Wright, better known as Tech Girl is thrilled to see what this year’s competition has to offer.
“I always look forward to esports talent showing up and popping off.
“When there is an opportunity to potentially compete against the best in the world, South African esports players bring their A Game and Campus Clutch will be no different.
“Considering last year’s global winner was an African team, I’m looking forward to seeing the South Africans show up and pop off.
“The best part about Red Bull Campus Clutch is that it is the perfect excuse to jam with your friends,” she said.
“Even if you aren’t competitive or the best in the country, it’s an opportunity to jump into a few games with your friends and have a laugh.
“So don’t be afraid that you might ‘suck’, sign up for the experience.”