Team South Africa Baseball 5 continued their a strong performance at the WBSC Baseball5 Africa Region Qualifiers in Lusaka, earning qualification for the 2026 WBSC Baseball5 World Cup after finishing as runners-up in the continental championship.
Six national teams took part in the WBSC Baseball5 Africa Region Qualifiers, held from 5 to 8 November 2025 at the OYDC Zambia – Sports Development Centre in Lusaka. The tournament featured Tunisia, South Africa, Cape Verde, Kenya, Zambia, and Burkina Faso, with two available spots for Africa at next year’s WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2026.
South Africa’s campaign began strongly through the group stages, where they recorded key victories over Cape Verde, Zambia, Kenya, and Burkina Faso to secure a semi-final berth.
In the semi-final round, South Africa faced Cape Verde in a tense three-set thriller, winning 5–3, 7–8, 10–5 to qualify for both the championship final and the 2026 World Cup.
In the title decider, South Africa went head-to-head with an unbeaten Tunisia side. The North Africans continued their dominant form, taking the opening set 7–3 before edging the second 6–4 to claim the championship.
Despite the narrow defeat, South Africa closed the tournament with a proud 5–2 overall record, finishing second overall and officially qualifying for the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2026 alongside Tunisia.
South Africa’s Ruben Danks was recognised as the tournament’s Top Male Player following his outstanding performances throughout the week.
Supplied by SA Baseball
