The South African Baseball Union (SABU), in partnership with WBSC Africa, has confirmed that Johannesburg will host the 2025 WBSC Africa Baseball U23 Championship from 28 October to 2 November 2025. The tournament will act as the official qualifying event for the 2026 WBSC U23 Baseball World Cup, providing Africa’s top emerging players the opportunity to compete for a place on the global stage.
SABU President Dr Marc Moreau said hosting the U23 African Championship in Johannesburg was not only a proud moment for South Africa but also a vital opportunity to further the growth of baseball on the continent. “This event will bring the best of African baseball together. For our young players, it is a chance to showcase their talent and for our coaches, it is a platform to contribute to the next generation of South African baseball excellence.”
The championship is set to attract strong participation from nations across the continent, with Zimbabwe and Benin already confirming their entry, and further countries expected to join. A virtual meeting with all federations is scheduled for 9 September 2025, where SABU and WBSC Africa will finalise tournament logistics.
In preparation for the championship, SABU had previously announced the U23 regional coaching staff who will oversee training and development across the provinces. The U23 Group will be headed by Lindi Leigh Erasmus as Head of Delegation, with national team mentor Neil Adonis lending his expertise and guidance. In the Western Cape, coaches Jody Burch, Lance Gordon, Darryn Smith, and Liall Mauritz will take charge, while Gauteng will be guided by Brayden Bartle, Clive Pretorius, Jaco Scheepers, and Theodore Speelman. Eastern Cape leadership will come from Daniel Coetzer, Lwazi Mlondolozi, and Jono Viljoen, with Limpopo represented by Thabang Letsoalo and Daniel Mokgehle.
These appointments ensure a strong backbone for South Africa’s U23 programme, with a united coaching team ready to support the players who will step onto the international stage later this year. With Johannesburg preparing to welcome Africa’s best young baseball talent, anticipation is building for what promises to be a high-quality tournament and a milestone moment in the ongoing development of South African baseball.
