South Africa Women’s Baseball is set to make history with an upcoming international tour to the United Kingdom, where both a Senior Women’s team and an Under-23 team will compete in an international series.
For the first time, South Africa will field two women’s national teams on a parallel programme, aligning the women’s pathway with structures already in place for the men and in line with the global framework of the World Baseball Softball Confederation. This marks a significant step in building depth, continuity and long-term sustainability within the women’s game.
The squads have been selected following the South African National Baseball Championships in Boksburg, Gauteng, supported by ongoing talent identification over the past four years. The process reflects a clear commitment to developing a strong pipeline of players capable of competing at international level.
This tour follows on from the ground-breaking end-of-year 2025 tour to Zimbabwe, further building momentum and continuity within the programme as South Africa continues to expand its international footprint.
The tour will run from 28 May to 9 June 2026, with both teams travelling together and operating within a structured national programme environment.
South Africa will compete against top European opposition, including Great Britain, the Czech Republic and France, providing a high level of competition and valuable international exposure. Great Britain will also field a start-up team, adding further depth to the series and creating additional playing opportunities across both squads.
This international series forms part of a broader strategic push for recognition on the global stage. South Africa is actively working towards securing a wild card opportunity and ultimately targeting the African qualification spot for future global competitions.
The 2026 competition cycle is particularly important, as performances will contribute towards World Cup qualification pathways, where the top three teams will progress into the next phase of international competition.
By sending both Senior and U23 teams, the programme ensures not only immediate competitiveness but also succession planning, allowing younger players to gain experience alongside established national athletes.
As with the Rockford junior tour, this initiative comes on the back of a hard-driven women’s development programme led by Hayley Scott Maree, whose work continues to strengthen the national pathway and create meaningful international opportunities for players.
This tour presents a significant opportunity for players to represent South Africa at international level, while reinforcing the growth and structure of women’s baseball in the country.
The team is also seeking support ahead of the tour, and anyone able to assist, whether through large or small contributions, is encouraged to support the national group through their Back a Buddy campaign. Click here to help in anyway.
