South Africa win U-23 Men's Softball Africa Championship, complete 12-team lineup for 2026 World Cup

World No. 14 South Africa clinched the U-23 Men’s Softball Africa Championship title after edging No. 32 Botswana 5-4 in a thrilling final, securing the continent’s lone berth to the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup 2026, set for 25 April to 3 May in Sincelejo, Colombia. With this result, South Africa becomes the 12th and final team to qualify for the World Cup, completing the global field.

The South African squad confirmed its dominance on the continent by sweeping the double round robin. They defeated both Botswana and No. 39 Kenya twice before prevailing again over Botswana in the final to book their ticket to Sincelejo.

In the semifinal, Botswana earned their place in the title game with a 6-2 victory over Kenya.

Opening Round Results

• Game 1: Botswana 11–1 Kenya
• Game 2: Kenya 1–11 Botswana
• Game 3: Botswana 4–5 South Africa
• Game 4: Botswana 15–0 Kenya
• Game 5: South Africa 13–1 Kenya
• Game 6: South Africa 8–1 Botswana

The completed field features eight of the world’s top 10, and 11 of the top 15 nations in the WBSC Men's Softball World Ranking:

• No. 1 Japan
• No. 2 Venezuela
• No. 3 Argentina
• No. 4 Canada
• No. 6 Australia
• No. 7 New Zealand
• No. 8 Czechia
• No. 9 Mexico
• No. 11 Singapore
• No. 13 Colombia (host)
• No. 14 South Africa
• No. 18 Denmark

The second edition of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup will be held in Sincelejo, Colombia, at 20 de Enero Stadium and Eduardo Porras Arrazola Stadium, bringing together top young talent from around the globe to compete for the world title.