South African Baseball is proud to announce the provisional squad of 21 young players shortlisted for the national U12 team, which will represent the country at the upcoming World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, from 25 July to 3 August 2025.
The World Cup, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, will see the world’s top young talent compete on an international stage. The selected South African players represent a strong blend of promise and passion, drawn from various provinces including the Western Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape.
“This squad represents the future of South African baseball, and we are proud to see such strong talent emerging from every corner of our country,” said Marc Moreau, President of South African Baseball. “Competing at the World Cup is not just about results—it’s about growth, learning, and proudly flying our flag on the world stage.”
Moreau added: “Following our senior team’s successful participation at the World Baseball Classic—also hosted in Taiwan—and having experienced an outstanding training camp in Tainan, we’re confident that our U12s will benefit from the same world-class hospitality and the strong international relationships we’ve built.”
The provisional squad is as follows:
From the Western Cape, eight players have been selected: Quiwinn Adams, Riley Coleman, Maahir Taliep, Blaine Sawyer, Kaleb Amos, Casey Uys, Abulele Sotyato, and Kaden Africa.
Gauteng provides a strong contingent with eleven players: Seth Hains, Troy Branders, Luke De Lange, Evan Grobler, Jonathan Stacey, Sebastian Savides, Jarred Long, Samkelo Sagwar, Mason Sage, Nate Lerwill, and Casey Uys.
Limpopo is proudly represented by Rebone Mphahlele and Mosa Mphahlele, while the Eastern Cape sees standout representation from Luke Bailes.
The players are currently training in their respective provinces as part of a decentralised preparation programme. Head Coach Shawn Schwartz is co-ordinating the training schedules and ensuring consistency across the regions. This approach allows each player to stay engaged at local level while working toward peak readiness for the World Cup.
“Each of these players has shown exceptional dedication to the game,” said Desmond Speelman, Head of Youth Baseball at SABU. “Their selection is a testament to the hard work happening at grassroots level, and we are excited to see how they carry our nation’s hopes in Taiwan. This is the beginning of something truly special.”
Guiding the team is an experienced and passionate coaching unit:
- Shawn Schwartz (Gauteng) – Head Coach
- Quinton Amos (Western Cape) – Assistant Coach
- Alroy Savides (Gauteng) – Assistant Coach
- Anita Hains (Gauteng) – Head of Delegation
The final travelling team will be confirmed by 31 May 2025, consisting of 18 players and three non-travelling reserves.
The South African Baseball Union extends its congratulations to all selected players and their families. As preparations continue, the South Africa baseball community is encouraged to rally behind these young athletes as they prepare to represent South Africa with pride at the 2025 World Cup.
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