The Boksburg Cardinals Baseball Club is celebrating a proud moment as three of its rising stars, Troy Branders, Evan Grobler and Mason Sage, have been chosen for the SA provisional U12 national baseball squad.
These young talents are among 21 players selected to represent the country at the 2025 U12 Baseball World Cup, to be held in Tainan, Taiwan, from July 25 to August 3.
The international tournament, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), gathers the globe’s most promising young players for a showcase of talent, determination and national pride. For Boksburg Cardinals, this announcement is not just a feather in their cap; it’s a milestone that underscores years of focused grassroots development.
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Gavin Watkins, club president of Boksburg Cardinals, expressed deep pride in the boys’ achievement:
“We as a club are proud of Evan, Mason and Troy. Their hard work and dedication have been rightfully rewarded. We are looking forward to them showing the rest of the world what they are made of.”
The three players form part of a strong Gauteng contingent, which contributes 11 of the 21 players in the national squad. The rest hail from the Western Cape, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape.
South African Baseball Union (SABU) president Marc Moreau highlighted the importance of the U12 squad in the country’s long-term sporting aspirations. “This squad represents the future of South African baseball, and we are proud to see such strong talent emerging from every corner of our country.
“Competing at the World Cup is not just about results, but it’s about growth, learning and proudly flying our flag on the world stage.”
The team will follow a decentralised training programme, with players continuing their development in their respective provinces. This method, coordinated by head coach Shawn Schwartz, allows consistent training while nurturing local-level participation.
Desmond Speelman, SABU’s head of Youth Baseball, added: “Each of these players has shown exceptional dedication to the game. Their selection is a proof to the hard work happening at grassroots level, and we are excited to see how they carry our nation’s hopes in Taiwan. This is the beginning of something truly special.”
For Boksburg Cardinals, the selection of Troy, Evan and Mason is more than a personal victory; it signals the strength and promise of their youth development pipeline. It also positions the club as one of the key contributors to the national talent pool.
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