World No. 38 South Africa named their official roster to participate in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group B, to be played in Valencia, Spain, from 18 to 22 July. The African champions will participate in their eighth Women’s Softball World Cup.
South Africa will face No. 4 Puerto Rico, No. 10 Netherlands, No. 11 China, No. 12 Spain and No. 28 Cuba in Group B.
South Africa Roster
- Katlego Aphane
- Nushka De Beer
- Pretty Gwangwa
- Elri Herman
- Hannah Hugo
- Cassandra Kalpens
- Ammaarah Larney
- Shane Luyt
- Emily Mahlalela
- Thandi Malebana
- Rachel Matsimela
- March Mercedes
- Itumeleng Moreroa
- Erin Peters
- Melissa Savage
- Johandri Van der Walt
De Beer (pictured) and Kalpens are the only two players from the 2018 Women’s Softball World Cup and will represent the veteran presence in South Africa’s dugout. De Beer, then 17-years old, made eight appearances for the green and gold squad, and is a veteran of two U-18 World Cups in 2017 and 2019. Kalpens went 3-for-11 for a .182 batting average in Chiba.
Along with Herman, Larney and Malebana, they also wear South Africa’s jersey at the Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier held in Utrecht, Netherlands in 2019.
South Africa’s journey at the World Cup will begin on 18 July with a matchup against hosts Spain, followed by a double-header against Cuba and Puerto Rico on Day 2. On 20 July they will face Netherlands and will close the Opening Round on the 21st taking on China. See the full schedule here.
South Africa qualified for the World Cup going undefeated to win the African title in February.
