THE CAGE SEASON 1 IS HERE.

AFRICA’S ULTIMATE 1V1 BATTLEGROUND.

NOWHERE TO HIDE.

ENTER THE CAGE!

The most ruthless 1v1
basketball battleground in Africa.

The Cage is a premium, high-pressure 1v1 basketball competition built for players who can perform under pressure.

Every game is personal.
Every possession matters.
Every player steps onto the court alone.

Structured. Competitive. Intentional.

This is where reputations are tested.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR THE BEST 1V1 PLAYER IN THE COUNTRY.

R10 000 CASH PRIZE.

ONE ULTIMATE KING OF THE CAGE!

REGISTER HERE TO ENTER THE CAGE

THE cage ENTRIES CLOSE IN:

Step-by-step Entry Instructions:

01

COMPLETE YOUR ENTRY FORM
Fill in your details to officially enter Season 1.

02

PAY COMMITMENT FEE
Secure your place in The Cage with R150.

03

FOLLOW THE CAGE
Make sure you follow the Cage and stay updated on announcements, selections and Media Day.

PAY HERE

Important:

Limited spots available — first come, first served.

Open to male players, 18+.

You must be able to attend the event on the specified date.

FILL IN THE FORM

Full Name

* By completing form you agree to Terms and Conditions.

When and where?

Entries Open: 19 May 2026 – 19 June 2026

Cage Content & Media Day: 26 June 2026

Qualifier Day 1: 1 – 2 August 2026
Qualifier Day 2: 29 – 30 August

Final Round: 26 September 2026

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Format: 1v1 Basketball Competition ONLY

Grand prize: R10 000

Why the cage?

PRESSURE REVEALS EVERYTHING

The Cage was built to spotlight players who can perform when there is no system to hide behind.

No teams.
No excuses.
Just performance.

FAQ

How do I register?

Entries open on 19 May 2026.

  • Complete the entry form.
  • Pay your R150 entry fee online after filling in your form.
  • Follow @TheCageBasketball on Instagram 
Who can enter The Cage?
  • Open to men aged 18+.
  • You must be based in South Africa or able to travel to the event.
  • All skill levels are welcome – but only the best survive.
What’s the game format and special rules?
  • Game Time: 2 halves × 3 minutes each.
  • Sprint-Start Drop Ball: Each half starts with the ball being dropped at center court while both players begin at opposite baselines — it’s a race to claim possession.
  • Court Setup: Qualifiers are played on standard half courts. Finalists will compete inside The Cage — a smaller, high-energy court with two baskets and a crowd right on top of the action.
What should I bring on game day?
  • Your own basketball gear and shoes. You will be given a Cage T-shirt on the day.
  • ID or proof of age and your entry details.
  • The mindset to dominate.

How the Cage works

THE CAGE — SEASON FORMAT

32 players enter The Cage.

Players are randomly drawn into 8 groups of 4.

SEASON FORMAT

The season consists of:

  • 2 qualifying events
  • 1 Finals Day

All 32 players are required to compete across both qualifying events.

Points accumulated across both qualifying weekends determine the overall standings and qualification race.

Qualification is determined by total season performance across both qualifying weekends.

GROUP FORMAT

At each qualifying event:

  • Players compete within their assigned groups
  • Each player faces every other player in their group once
  • All matches follow official Cage rules

Scoring:

  • Win = 3 points
  • Loss = 0 points
BONUS POINT

At the end of each qualifying event:

  • The player with the highest total buckets scored across all groups receives +1 bonus point

Tie-breakers apply if players finish level.

QUALIFICATION SYSTEM

At the end of both qualifying weekends:

  • The Top 16 players on the overall leaderboard advance to Finals Day

Leaderboard ranking is determined by:

  1. Total points
  2. Golden Basket playoff if still tied
FINALS DAY

The Final 16 enter a straight knockout bracket:

  • Last 16
  • Quarter Finals
  • Semi Finals
  • Final

Win and advance.
Lose and you’re out.

The Rules: 1v1

  • Half-court, 1 rim.
  • 2 halves, 3 minutes each, with a 2-minute break.
  • Drop ball sprint start at the beginning of each half (ref slams it in the centre).
  • Scoring: 1pt inside arc | 2pts outside arc | 3pts for dunks.
  • No timeouts.
  • Tied games to be decided by a golden basket.
  • 12-second shot-clock | continuous play | unlimited dribbles.
  • Clear past the 3-point line before attacking.
  • Final minute = “Pressure Time”: All baskets are worth +1.
  • Blocked at the rim during Pressure Time? Lose 1 point.

By participating, you are agreeing to the Cage Terms & Conditions.

Content & Media Day – 26 June 2026

Selected players will officially enter The Cage through our Content & Media Day.

This is where:

Players are introduced
Matchups begin
Rivalries start

Season 1 officially launches

THINK YOU BELONG?

Season 1 is here.

Step inside The Cage and prove it

ENTER NOW

Contact Us

Email Us: enter@thecagebasketball.co.za

WhatsApp Us: +27 63 637 4436