South Africa’s Under 23 Baseball Team has stepped up its preparations for the WBSC Under 23 Baseball World Cup 2026, with players gathering across the country as the road to Nicaragua continues.
The WBSC Under 23 Baseball World Cup will take place in Managua, Nicaragua, from 6 to 15 November 2026, where South Africa will once again test itself against the world’s leading baseball nations.
This past weekend, the Cape Town-based members of the national Under 23 squad assembled at Bothasig Baseball Club for another intensive training session. Coach Tyrone Baglione spearheaded the Under 23 programme during the weekend, while Coach Jono Viljoen travelled from Mandela Bay to work with the squad. Head of Delegation Lindi Erasmus was also in attendance, overseeing player welfare and supporting the smooth running of the camp.
Several members of the current Under 23 squad have recently progressed from South Africa’s successful Under 18 programme, highlighting the strength of the national player development pathway. Having now graduated into the Under 23 ranks, these players are also benefiting from training alongside the Senior South African Baseball Team. Working together with the senior squad provides invaluable exposure to a higher level of competition, allowing the younger players to learn from experienced internationals while continuing their own development ahead of the World Cup in Nicaragua.
While the Cape Town-based Under 23 players trained alongside the senior squad at Bothasig Baseball Club, their Gauteng counterparts continued their preparations through the province’s winter baseball programme. This combined national approach ensures that players across the country continue to receive quality training and competitive opportunities as preparations gather momentum.
With just a few months remaining before South Africa departs for Nicaragua, every training session becomes increasingly important as the Under 23 squad continues its journey towards representing the country on one of baseball’s biggest international stages.
