South Africa tops Botswana to clinch African championship and qualify for WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup

World No. 10 South Africa defeated No. 18 Botswana, 4-3, in the final of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup African Qualifier on Saturday. As the top softball team in Africa, South Africa advances to the flagship event to be held from 26 November to 4 December in Auckland, New Zealand. The final day was live streamed by 360 Sport.

South Africa finished the round robin in second place, with two wins against Kenya and two losses against Botswana, who reached the final after going undefeated in the double round robin.

However, on the final day South Africa topped Kenya, 20-0, in three innings, in the semifinal. And the host team grabbed the continental title and the only available spot in the World Cup with a 5-3 victory. 

The upcoming World Cup will be South Africa’s eleventh presence in the top men’s softball tournament. The African champions made their debut in the World Cup on 1968, when the second edition of the tournament was played in Oklahoma City. Their highest finish has been seventh place (Manila 1971).

South Africa joins No. 4 Czech Republic and No. 9 Denmark as the only qualified nations for the 2022 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup. The field of teams will be completed by the top four nations from the Americas, the top two from Asia, two from Oceania and a Wild Card.