After months of preparation and having qualified in the WBSC Africa Baseball5 Championships, our South African Baseball5 Team has arrived in Hong Kong to take part in the II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup, set to take place from 7–10 October 2024.
The mixed-gender team of eight includes several experienced players returning to action:
- Louis-Michael Albertyn (Male) – Gauteng
- Aidan Bartes (Male) – Eastern Cape
- Tshwarelo Lamola (Female) – Limpopo
- Austin Mankga (Male) – Limpopo
- Sylvester Maredi (Male) – Limpopo
- Itumeleng Moreroa (Female) – Gauteng
- Kay’dshay Naude (Female) – Gauteng
- Bonolo Tlome (Female) – Gauteng
Having already won the first Africa Championships in 2022, then successfully competing in the inaugural Baseball5 World Cup in Mexico in 2022, and qualifying in Cape Verde this year, the team has built a strong track record and will be keen to take on the rest of the world.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Americo Juma and HOD Hayley Scott-Maree, the team has held several pre-tour training camps, along with lots of remote training and monitoring.
South African President Mr. Marc Moreau said, “On behalf of the SABU Executive, I would like to wish the SA B5 team all the very best for this prestigious tournament where you are representing our beautiful country. It is a huge responsibility that you have on your shoulders. We are confident in your abilities. Take pride in your role, take pride in representing your province and country.”
South Africa faces World Champions Cuba in their first match on Monday at 13:00, followed by Hong Kong in the opening ceremony at 19:30.
The 12 participating teams were drawn into two groups last month, and each team will play five games in the Opening Round, held from 7 to 9 October.
Group A features defending champions Cuba alongside Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, South Africa, Lithuania, and hosts Hong Kong, China. Group B includes Japan, France, Tunisia, Mexico, China, and Australia.
The Baseball5 World Cup action gets underway at 09:30 local time on 7 October, with Cuba taking on Lithuania in the opening game.
The action will be available on numerous broadcasters around the world, as well as online via the WBSC’s OTT channel, GameTime.
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