South Africa was the first non-European country joining TWIF in 1971. The tug-of-war was long established in South Africa and teams participated in TWIF events event even before TWIF was able to organize the first World Championships in 1975. Sport organizations in South Africa had a difficult episode at that time as the IOC had expelled South Africa in 1970 from membership. South African teams participated in 123 TWIF competitions and won one World title in the Junior category in 2008. In the Oceanic Championships, the TWIF continental championship for countries outside Europe, they won 13 titles. South Africa hosted four TWIF events, three World Championships and one Oceanic Championships. They are also the host country for the Jubilee Championships in 2010.