DEVON PETERSEN hopes that South Africa's win over Northern Ireland the BetVictor World Cup of Darts can be a boost to the sport in Africa.
Petersen has spearheaded the growth of top-level darts in South Africa over the past decade through his emergence as the country's first professional.
Despite now being based in the UK to compete on the PDC circuit full-time, the Mitchell's Plain star has also helped to boost the sport through his series of Last Man Standing Qualifiers.
Petersen has also stated his aim to grow the sport across Africa in the coming years, and followed up his run to the last 16 of the 2019 World Championship with a World Cup win on Thursday.
Petersen was partnered by big-stage debutant Vernon Bouwers as they defeated Daryl Gurney and Brendan Dolan 5-4 in a dramatic first round contest in Hamburg.
The pair will now face New Zealand's Cody Harris and Haupai Puha on Saturday in round two, with Petersen hoping to further boost his nation's standing with further World Cup success.
Bouwers also hails from Mitchell's Plain, and won the Last Man Standing Qualifier earlier this year to secure his first TV appearance at the World Cup.
"Daryl is a two-time major champion and you've got Brendan Dolan, and then you've got myself and Vernon coming from a small little place in Cape Town and turning them over," Petersen told Live Darts.
"It's phenomenal for us, not just from an individual perspective but from a South African and African perspective. This is showing that we can progress the sport within Africa.
"Vernon has been dominant in South Africa and is currently ranked number one in South Africa, which he's deserved."
WINNER!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 6, 2019
Sixth seeds Northern Ireland are knocked out in the first round by South Africa!
We have our first upset at the 2019 @BetVictor World Cup of Darts! pic.twitter.com/B37C9IPIvi
Petersen showed his experience in the deciding leg against Northern Ireland, landing a 180 and then finishing 74 in two darts to complete a memorable win.
"I felt in the game we were dominating most of the time and in the last leg I realised that this is where you grab the mantle and run with it," Petersen added. "That leg was the leg for Africa.
"I think in the end we deserved to win that game."
Petersen shared a video on social media of the reaction back in Mitchell's Plain following the victory, showing great celebrations as the winning double was landed.
Devon Petersen on Twitter
To win the first round of the World Cup of darts is amazing but to see what it means to youth players in Mitchell’s Plain ........PRICELESS #darts #worldcupdarts #youth @UnicornDarts @OfficialPDC @theruddgroup @MorrisonsPubNZ @DartsNArts @mtfupofficial pic.twitter.com/eQql6elPdf
— Devon Petersen (@devon_petersen) June 7, 2019
The BetVictor World Cup of Darts will be held from June 6-9 at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany.
Broadcast live on Sky Sports, the tournament will see 32 countries represented by two players each in the unique event which features both doubles and singles matches.