'He was what Luke Littler is now': Devon Petersen ecstatic for Adrian Lewis' awaited comeback

Devon Petersen – The African Warrior – has long been one of the most recognisable figures in darts. With his trademark walk-on dance, big smile and infectious charisma, the South African has become a real fan favourite around the world. Speaking to TalkSPORT Darts, Petersen discussed his role in the Modus Super Series, the rise of darts in Africa, and why the return of Adrian Lewis excites him both as a fan and a competitor.

A fresh new look

The interview began on a lighter note, with Petersen’s new goatee immediately catching attention.

“You’ve always got to be camera-ready, Harry,” he laughed. “I even did my hair properly especially for this interview, and the goatee matches the look. By the way, you’ve got a strong beard yourself – with a nice trim on the sides, I think a goatee would actually suit you.”

The Modus Super Series – a platform for all

Having become a regular on the Modus circuit, Petersen is excited about the upcoming finale in Portsmouth.

“It’s going to be massive,” he said. “The Modus Super Series has been not just a breath of fresh air but a real opportunity. It gives a platform to players who don’t hold a PDC Tour Card and makes the game more accessible. Amateur players now have the luxury of Modus to showcase themselves – that’s the value of this platform.”

Beyond offering opportunities to grassroots players, Petersen believes Modus has changed the sport’s image.

“When you add the influencer events, it’s grown even bigger. You’ve got YouTubers, social media stars and even celebrities stepping into darts. That makes the sport inclusive and exciting for a whole new audience. Darts used to be seen as the ugly duckling of sports – the party game but not glamorous. Thanks to Modus, that image is changing.”

A school for young players

For aspiring professionals, Petersen says Modus is the ultimate training ground.

“If you go through the traditional route – local leagues, pub tournaments, WDF – you might get on a big stage once or twice a year. That’s far too little. At Modus you’re playing six matches a day, sometimes for six days straight if you reach the final. That’s an enormous amount of stage time you can’t get anywhere else.”

He adds: “It means that by the time players get to a PDC event, they’re not experiencing the stage nerves, the music, the atmosphere for the first time. They’ve already built that rhythm at Modus. That’s a huge plus for player development. And with the ADC qualifiers feeding into it, the whole structure has only become stronger.”

“The sport of the people”

For Petersen, darts’ biggest strength is its accessibility.

“It’s the sport of the people. Anyone can buy a dartboard, a set of darts, and just start. With a little discipline and some coaching, you can make progress very quickly. You don’t need expensive facilities or big teams – it’s just you, your darts and the board. That makes it democratic: everyone can join in.”

Flying the flag for South Africa

Later this year, Petersen will represent South Africa at the International Pairs in Portsmouth – a challenge that carries huge personal and continental significance.

“It would be huge. Of course, lifting the trophy, those five or six seconds of pure joy, are amazing. But it’s about something much bigger. It’s about what it means for Africa. Darts has always been dominated by European, British, Australian or American players. African players are almost never on that stage. When we win, it inspires a whole generation. It says: winning is for Africa too.”

He added with a grin: “The trophy is nice – you can even drink your coffee out of it later – but the true victory is inspiring a continent that’s often overlooked.”

A new wave of African darts

Petersen was especially moved by the scenes in Kenya earlier this year, when Peter Wachiuri played in the World qualifier to a fan fever pitch crowd. “That moment was magical. I was commentating myself and when you heard the vuvuzelas it felt like the 2010 Football World Cup. I’d never seen anything like it in darts. A village boy fought his way into the final and thanks to the livestreams the whole world could see what kind of atmosphere there was. For me that was one of the best clips I’ve ever seen. It shows that darts in Africa is alive, full of passion and ready to compete.”

Rivalries and showmanship

Not all moments are smooth sailing, though. Petersen reflected on a fiery clash with Northern Ireland that drew headlines for its intensity. "That’s part of it. It’s top sport, emotions run high. People sometimes say I talk too much or showboat, but that’s my style. The most important thing is never to lose sight of the bigger picture: entertainment, inspiration, growing the sport. That’s what matters to me.”