Lamola and Croft headline South Africa squad for WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup
WBSC Men's Softball World Cup stars Lucas Lamola and Tyler Croft have been named in South Africa’s squad for the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup, set to begin on 15 April in Parana, Argentina.
World No. 12 South Africa will play in Group A against the hosts, No. 4 Australia, No. 6 Czechia, No. 10 Mexico and No. 14 Singapore.
Lamola and Croft helped South African to an 11th place finish at the senior World Cup in New Zealand last December. Croft, who also represented South Africa in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2018, hit a clutch three-run homer against Denmark to lead his team to a crucial 5-3 victory.
Head coach Samson Rakgoale named a 15-player list for the tournament, which will be played at Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium in the capital of Entre Rios state.
South Africa roster
- Kagiso Aphane
- Tyler Croft
- Dylan Ebrahim
- Riaan Hattingh
- Ronaldo Kekana
- Lucas Lamola
- Lucas Ledwaba
- Kamogelo Makolomakoe
- Kiddo Malemetja
- Kwena Nkune
- Reece Nyland
- Nathan Pletschke
- Maleho Sehloho
- Tsatsi Thlabanelo
- Joshua Wetzel
Coaching staff
- Samson Rakgoale - Head Coach
- Selekeng Nong - Assistant Coach
- Conrad Madumo - Assistant Coach
- Tidima Kekana - Pitching Coach
- Itumeleng Kekana - Manager
- Keitumetse Seolwane - Statistician
- Tebogo Ledwaba - Physiotherapist
- Phokoane Mapheto - Head of Delegation
- Innocent Matlhakoane - Deputy Head of Delegation
Ronaldo Kekana, Lamola, Reece Nyland, Nathan Pletschke and Joshua Wentzel helped their team to a 10th-place finish in the Junior Men’s Softball World Cup 2018. Nyland displayed his offensive power with three home runs in the tournament, tied in second place for the tournament.
The roster also features one member of South Africa’s squad, which participated in the WBSC Men's Softball U-18 World Cup 2020: Kiddo Malematja.
South Africa will play the first game of the tournament on 15 April against Czechia. In the next four days, they will meet Singapore, Australia, Argentina and Mexico.