South Africa and Zimbabwe will compete in a five-match series to determine which country represents Africa at the WBSC U18 World Cup in Japan. The series takes place in Boksburg from January 17 to 19.
South Africa is preparing to host Zimbabwe in a crucial World Baseball and Softball Confederation ( WBSC ) U18 World Cup African qualifier. This five-match series, taking place at the Boksburg Cardinals main diamond, will determine which country earns a coveted spot in the U18 world cup in Japan from September 5 to 14. The series kicks off with a double header today, followed by another double header tomorrow, with the final match scheduled for Sunday (January 19) morning.
The victor will represent Africa at the 33rd edition of the global baseball spectacle held at the Okinawa Cellular Stadium. South Africa has assembled a formidable 20-man squad, pulling talent from across the country, including Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Limpopo. The selection process culminated in an all-star camp held in Cape Town, where the cream of the crop emerged. The young athletes will be guided by a seasoned technical team led by coach Dean Mckinnon, with his assistants Kyle Titus, Gavin Bennett, Thabo Letsoalo, Mark du Plessis, and Daniel Coetzer. Bennett, a member of the technical team, exudes confidence in the team's ability to overcome the Zimbabwean challenge and secure a place in the world cup. 'The competition is going to be tight,' he acknowledges, recognizing the potential for a fierce battle. 'We don't know exactly what Zimbabwe has brought to the table. However, we've assembled a very strong squad. We possess the strength and depth to emerge victorious in the qualifier,' he asserts. 'We had 56 players at the all-star camp, and we narrowed it down to 20, with five non-traveling reserves. This isn't the definitive team that will head to Japan, but I believe we have enough depth. We have players from Limpopo, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng. It's a fantastic mix of talented individuals. This week, we've held some excellent bonding sessions to foster teamwork and camaraderie,' Bennett explains.
Baseball Softball WBSC U18 World Cup Africa Qualifier
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