South Africa is set to host Zimbabwe at the Boksburg Baseball Club in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup African Qualifiers, a thrilling event that will run from January 15 to 19 in Johannesburg.
The first games starting as double headers on 17 January 2025. The stakes are high as the two nations compete for the coveted spot in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, scheduled to take place from 5 to 14 September 2025, in Japan.
Led by Coach Dean McKinnon, South Africa is the only African nation to have competed on the world stage in this age bracket. The team has proudly participated in eight U-18 Baseball World Cup editions, a testament to their strong programme and commitment to baseball development on the continent.
Game Schedule
The event promises action-packed games with the following schedule:
– Friday, January 15: Double-header games at 09:30 and 14:00.
– Saturday, January 16: Double-header games at 09:30 and 14:00.
– Sunday, January 17: A morning game starting at 08:30.
South Africa’s Squad
The South African roster features a mix of talented players from across the country, highlighting the depth of baseball talent within the nation:
The team includes Damian Le Roux (Eastern Cape), Khomotso Mokgawa (Limpopo), Aiden McKenzie (Western Cape), Isaac Scheepers (Gauteng), Connor Steyn (Gauteng), Lefa Motaung (Gauteng), Abdud Osman (Western Cape), Travis Hoffman (Gauteng), Jean Gouws (Gauteng), Molota Photololo (Limpopo), Caelum Stroberg (Gauteng), Dean Du Plessis (Gauteng), Wade Solomons (Western Cape), Imaad Hassiem (Western Cape), Jayden Neethling (Gauteng), Jayden Du Preez (Western Cape), Tristan Fradd (Western Cape), Joshua Botha (Gauteng), Derono Potgieter (Eastern Cape), and Donovan Wallendorf (Gauteng).
The non-travelling reserves selected for the team are Cody Forbes (Western Cape), Jordan Pinto (Western Cape), Ryan McAllister (Gauteng), JP Samouilhan (Gauteng), and Liam Karels (Gauteng).
The coaching and management staff for the team include Head Coach Dean McKinnon (Gauteng), and Assistant Coaches Kyle Titus (Western Cape), Gavin Bennett (Gauteng), Thabang Letsoalo (Limpopo), Daniel Coetzer (Eastern Cape), and Mark Du Plessis (Gauteng). The Team Manager is Lindi Leigh Erasmus (Western Cape).
Building Momentum
The South African team is not just playing for qualification but also for the pride of a nation that continues to lead African baseball. This event is more than a competition; it is a celebration of the growth of baseball in South Africa and the continent.
This weekend promises a showcase of skill, strategy, and passion as South Africa aims to secure its spot on the world stage once again.
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