South African sporting icons Benni McCarthy and Cheslin Kolbe are swapping the football pitch and rugby field for a very different kind of competition as they join global entertainment stars DJ Khaled and Burna Boy for SportyBet’s first-ever Crash Games World Championship (CGWC).
A global competition
The three-week global tournament brings together players from SportyBet markets around the world across six Crash Games titles, with five Sporty Group ambassadors confirmed to compete in the championship.
McCarthy and Kolbe will represent South Africa, joining American music heavyweight DJ Khaled, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy and Ivorian footballer Yan Diomande. A sixth ambassador is expected to be announced ahead of the competition.
For South African fans, the championship places two familiar sporting personalities at the heart of an international gaming event, creating a crossover between sport, entertainment and competitive gaming.
From sport to Crash Games
The championship will feature six games – Rugby Blitz, Sporty Skills, Jet Golf by DJ Khaled, Sporty Jets by Burna Boy, Sporty Hero and LaLiga Penalty.
Players will compete for the title of CGWC World Champion, with exclusive limited-edition prizes also available throughout the tournament, including rewards that are described as money-can’t-buy experiences.
For McCarthy and Kolbe, the competition represents a departure from the environments where they have built their sporting careers.
McCarthy, one of South Africa’s most recognised football figures, has represented the country on the international stage and enjoyed a decorated playing career in Europe. Kolbe, meanwhile, has established himself as one of rugby’s most recognisable South African players, known for his performances at the highest level of the sport.
Their involvement brings that competitive sporting mentality into a fast-paced gaming environment, where they will compete alongside international personalities from football and entertainment.
A South African presence on the world stage
The championship also reflects SportyBet’s effort to bring together its Crash Games portfolio with the international reach of its ambassadors.
With McCarthy and Kolbe representing South Africa, the tournament has a clear local connection while maintaining a global line-up. DJ Khaled and Burna Boy bring their international entertainment profiles to games carrying their names, while Diomande adds another football connection to the competition.
The combination creates a tournament that moves beyond traditional sporting rivalries, bringing personalities from different parts of the entertainment and sporting world into one competitive format.
Countdown to the championship
Further details about the Crash Games World Championship, including the identity of the sixth ambassador, the exclusive prizes and how players can participate, are expected to be announced ahead of the tournament.
As the countdown begins, McCarthy and Kolbe will be looking to carry the competitive spirit associated with their sporting careers into a new arena – this time, on the global Crash Games stage.
