Baseball pride soars in as local youth prepare for world stage

The South African Baseball Union (SABU) announced the SA U18 national baseball team to represent the country at the upcoming WBSC (World Baseball Softball Confederation) U18 Baseball World Cup.

The event will take place from September 5 to 14 in Okinawa and Nishihara, Japan.
Among the talented group chosen to compete on the world stage are three promising players from the Boksburg Cardinals baseball club.

The final squad was selected after a thorough evaluation process, which included provincial scouting, national training camps, and continued player assessments. This team showcases the top youth baseball talent across SA, with representatives from the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

According to Gavin Watkins from Gauteng, the president of the Boksburg Cardinals club, the club made a strong showing, with three players named to the national team: Joshua Botha, Dean du Plessis and Liam van der Westhuizen.

“Notably, Josh, Dean and Mark were also part of the SA U15 World Cup team in Mexico in 2022. Liam represented SA at the U15 World Cup in Colombia in 2024.
“As a club, we are proud of the achievements of these three young men and their coach. We have watched them grow from strength to strength. Their hard work and dedication are evidence of what they continue to achieve.”

Also Read: SA and Zimbabwe clash in baseball world cup qualifier at Boksburg Stadium

Coach’s pride
Mark du Plessis, the coach of the Boksburg Cardinals, expressed pride in his players’ achievements.
“It means a lot to me for these boys to be representing SA in the U18 squad, especially since I have coached them since they were five years old. To be selected to represent our country again is a huge honour that never gets old.”

He added, “Watching these boys grow from beginners in T-ball to smashing home runs on the international stage is special. It makes all the hours we put in as coaches worth it. As a club, having so many members represent SA shows that our development programmes are working well and are great for the growth of baseball in Boksburg.”

Du Plessis also highlighted the value of international exposure, “Coaching on a world stage allows us to learn from international coaches and bring that knowledge back to our club. My message to the youngsters is train hard even when no one is watching, stay humble, love the game and focus on experience, growth and national pride.”

Player’s perspective
Botha shared his thoughts on the opportunity to play against the world’s best.
“Playing against the most elite players in the world taught me that hard work and dedication are key to competing at this level. I’ve learnt the importance of absorbing as much information as possible and applying it to improve my game.”

He emphasised the team aspect of baseball.
“Baseball is a team sport, and every player must bring their best to win championships. The Boksburg Cardinals have amazing coaches who instil hard work and discipline, which has helped me grow on and off the field.”

Looking ahead, Joshua said, “My goal is to always give 100% to improve the team’s chances of winning. My speed is one of my assets, which I use around the bases and in the outfield to make crucial catches and plays, helping my team one pitch at a time.”

Also Read: Boksburg Cardinals trio selected for U12 national baseball squad