South Africa’s U12 National Baseball Team has officially begun their journey to the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan, but not without a few bumps along the way. The team gathered early Saturday morning at OR Tambo International Airport, full of excitement and anticipation—only to face unexpected flight delays that tested their patience before even leaving the country.
Unfortunately, the travel challenges didn’t end there. After finally departing South Africa, the team encountered another unplanned delay during their layover in Hong Kong, adding extra hours to an already long journey. Still, the players and staff kept their spirits up, showing resilience and camaraderie as they pushed through the disruptions together.
After the extended stopover, the team is now set to continue their journey to Tainan, where they will go straight into a pre-tournament camp. This phase will give them a chance to adjust, settle in, and sharpen their focus ahead of the official start of the World Cup on 25 July.
The past few months have been packed with preparation—not just on the field, but off it as well. From training camps across the country to regular parent briefings about flights, accommodation, kit, and international travel regulations, the South African Baseball Union (SABU) has worked closely with families to make sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. These efforts have helped ensure that players and parents alike felt prepared and supported ahead of this major trip.
Led by Head Coach Shawn Schwartz, with Assistant Coaches Quinton Amos and Alroy Savides, and Team Manager Anita Hains, the team remains focused and ready to represent South Africa proudly on the global stage.
SABU President Dr. Marc Moreau shared his encouragement:
“We know this team has what it takes to make South Africa proud. They’ve already shown great character and maturity. We’re behind them every step of the way.”
