South Africa enters the upcoming WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup with a 24-ranked roster featuring nine pitchers, three catchers, five infielders, four outfielders, and three utility players selected by manager Clive Pretorius.
Clive Pretorius Takes Over the Dugout for Group B Play
Manager Clive Pretorius stepped into the top role in May 2026 after serving as an assistant under Liall Mauritz during the WBSC African qualification tournament. Pretorius previously directed South Africa at the U-15 World Cups in Mexico in 2022 and Colombia in 2024, and he has coached club side Randburg Mets. His technical staff in Nicaragua includes Theodore Speelman, Daniel Mokgehle, Jonathan Viljoen, and Tyrone Baglione.
North American Collegiate Experience Strengthens the Roster
Several members of the 24-player squad arrive with baseball experience from collegiate programs in the United States and Canada. Pitcher Josh Tribe finished his third year at the University of Arkansas-Monticello and played in the 2024 U-23 World Cup alongside the 2025 World Baseball Classic qualifiers. Pitcher Tyron Brickhill logged a season at Philander Smith College in Arkansas during 2026, utility player Darian Pretorius attended Minnesota North College, and pitcher Robert White completed his sophomore campaign at Central Christian College in Kansas. In addition, Stiaan Henning completed his final year of secondary school in Canada.
🇿🇦 South Africa announce 24-player roster for WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2026 presented by RAXUSManager Clive Pretorius took over from Liall Mauritz after serving as his coach at the WBSC Africa Qualifier.#BaseballWorldCupU23 https://t.co/dGfk9cIhmW
Familiar Faces Return Alongside U-18 Graduates
The roster blends returning veterans from the 2024 U-23 World Cup in Colombia with recent graduates from the U-18 program. Pitcher Bryce McCleland, jardinero Jamie Brookes, receptor Creedon Cockrell, infielder Ethan Grobler, infielder Cullen Pieterse, and infielder Darian Pretorius all return from the previous U-23 roster. Meanwhile, pitcher Stiaan Henning, infielder Junaid Bedford, and outfielder Joshua Botha move up directly after representing South Africa at the 2025 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.
Tough Group B Matchups Await in Nicaragua
South Africa will compete in Group B of the VI WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup against top-ranked defending champion Japan, fourth-ranked South Korea, fifth-ranked Venezuela, twelfth-ranked Cuba, and twentieth-ranked Great Britain. Group A features Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico, Panama, Australia, host Nicaragua, and Czechia. Games run from November 6 to November 15, 2026, across three venues: Estadio Nacional SoberanÃa in Managua, the newly opened Estadio Roberto Clemente in Masaya, and Estadio Rigoberto López Pérez in León.
