Renault South Africa and Montenegro ready for battle in Davis Cup tie

Both teams are in a good space as Renault South Africa prepare to host Montenegro in a Davis Cup World Group II Play-offs tie at Irene Country Club in Centurion on Saturday and Sunday, 7-8 February 2026.

A sold crowd is set to get behind the Renault SA Davis Cup team this weekend as they host Montenegro in a vital World Group II play-off tie at Irene Country Club.

With captain Pietie Norval at the helm, the South African squad has been preparing well on home soil, with all… pic.twitter.com/Fkrerx0VPl — Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) February 5, 2026

The SA squad arrived in Tshwane on Sunday last week and team captain Pietie Norval said they were preparing well.

With all five members of the national team being fit and healthy, Norval said they were ready to put up a fight against the visitors.

"Our preparation has gone really well and it's nice to have our entire team healthy. Everybody is in good form, coming out of their base training, so I am very happy with the team ahead of the tie," he said.

The skipper admitted, however, that they didn't know too much about their opposition, with Montenegro ranked 25 places below Renault South Africa in the Davis Cup rankings.

"We don't know much, to be honest, because there's not that much information on them. Some of the players in our team have seen some of the guys around, and I watched them training a bit this morning. They looked pretty decent," Norval said.

"When we play against countries we don't know much about, then our preparation is focused on ourselves and trying to deal with what we can deliver instead of focusing that much on the opponents."

The national side's top-ranked player, Phillip Henning, said he was pleased to be making his return after missing the SA team's last Davis Cup tie against Morocco due to injury.

He said the players in the squad were feeling strong and were confident ahead of the tie to be played in front of what is expected to be a lively home crowd.

"I'm feeling great and I'm ready for battle this week," said Henning, who confirmed he had fully recovered from a back niggle he picked up last month.

"I think all the boys are looking very good, it's an awesome venue and it's always nice playing at home. It's awesome to be back in the team and I'm looking forward to the weekend."

Meanwhile, Montenegro's top-ranked player Petar Jovanovic said the tourists had acclimatised well since arriving in the country on Tuesday.

He felt they were well suited to the conditions as the Montenegro team looked to spring a surprise against their fancied hosts.

"We're used to the heat. In our country summers get really hot, and I feel like all four of us enjoy playing in the heat, so maybe we can use that to our advantage," Jovanovic said.

"We're also getting used to the altitude. Our serves are getting better and better every day, as we get used to the height of the ball."

In their last Davis Cup tie against Morocco last year, the under-strength SA team lost 4-1, with multiple players struggling with injuries and illness. They must now beat Montenegro in order to retain their place in World Group II.

Montenegro won four of their five ties at the Group III Europe tournament in North Macedonia last season, qualifying for the World Group II playoffs.