14/04/2026
🇿🇦 ROAD TO COLOMBIA 🇨🇴
🥎🇿🇦 SA U23 Men are locked in 🔥
23 April - 03 May 2026
🌍Colombia awaits...and Team SA is ready to compete.
The South African Under-23 men's softball team descended on Kempton Park on Sunday with a single purpose: to sharpen their game and announce their intentions ahead of the WBSC U23 Men's Softball World Cup in Colombia, scheduled to run from 25 April to 3 May 2026. With focus etched on every face and energy buzzing across the field, the squad delivered a training session that left coaches and observers alike with reason to be optimistic.
High-Tempo Preparation Under Experienced Guidance
Under the watchful eyes of coaches Samson Rakgoale and Tebogo Manaka, the players were put through a demanding, high-tempo programme that blended tactical drills, physical conditioning, and game awareness. The technical duo left no stone unturned, running the squad through scenarios designed to mirror the intensity they can expect on the world stage.
The session reflected a clear tactical vision; combinations are beginning to gel, communication on the diamond is improving, and individual performances are starting to stand out. For a team with its sights set on making an impression in Colombia, these are exactly the signs that a coaching staff hopes to see.
Flames Provide the Perfect Test
The standout feature of the day was a spirited practice match pitting the young national side against the Flames from Gauteng, a seasoned club outfit fondly referred to as the "oldies." Far from a comfortable run-out, the encounter provided exactly the kind of competitive edge the U23 squad needed.
The Flames brought experience, guile, and a refusal to make things easy, and the young Proteas were better for it. The match delivered intensity and learning moments in equal measure, exposing areas to refine while also showcasing the depth and hunger that this crop of players possesses. Against battle-hardened opposition, the U23 squad held their own and demonstrated that they are building something meaningful.
Discipline, Depth, and Hunger
The atmosphere throughout the session was upbeat and competitive. Players embraced every challenge thrown at them, and the mood was one of genuine belief. There is a clear understanding within the squad that the World Cup represents a rare opportunity, one that demands nothing short of complete preparation.
What stands out most is not just the individual quality on display but the growing cohesion of the unit. A team that trains with purpose and competes with discipline is a team that travels with confidence, and this South African side is doing exactly that.