The South African Senior Softball Men jets off to New Zealand for the 2022 edition of the World Cup fully aware of the gravity of this tournament.
The event, which is staged under the auspices of World Baseball Softball Confederation, is slated for 26 November to 4 December in the metropolitan city of Auckland.
Battle-scarred by years of World Cup setbacks, Team SA embarks on journey Down Under singing a song of redemption.
The Africa champions have never fared pretty well in this tourney, but given the depth of talent in the playing personnel and the brainpower in the coaching staff, the Proteas could surprise some of the world softball superpowers.
The World No. 11 will be in the land of the Kiwis with a team of generational mix of youth and veterans full of determination to move up the international rankings.
Head coach Malemola Raphasha will board the airplane heading to the Pacific Ocean islands armed with previous experience of this event as a player but reminded that the dynamics often change from time to time.
Raphasha aptly summarised the fervour and magic of the World Cup when he said this tournament is the eventual achievement any softballer could dream of.
He said “We’re going to approach the World Cup differently unlike the African Qualifiers. The World Cup is softball’s Holy Grail and everyone in the team is aware of that. We are both psychologically and physically equipped. We have done everything during our preparation camps and the mood in the camp is high. It is now up to every individual to rise up to the occasion and redeem ourselves.”
Inarguably the best-ever South African national squad, there is sufficient talent in the pitching department headed by internationally-acclaimed Nakedi Mohlake.
The country’s pitcher-in-chief, Tidima Kekana has proven over the years that he can handled most of the workload leading from the mound with great aplomb.
With so much international experience under his belt, including the 2017 and 2019 World Cups, Kekana will be the most influential in the dugout, especially with his shrewd captaincy.
The Zebediela pitching machine will be complemented by veteran Grant Oliver, rising youngster, Lucas Lamola and another international sensation in Peter Manaka.
Lamola and Manaka, respectively from the rural villages of Ga-Mashashane and Sebayeng, provide an overwhelming atmosphere about the future of South African pitching.
Mohlake has expressed confidence in his pitchers, saying their individual variant pitching techniques will give the team more options.
He said “Of the four pitchers we are taking to this tournament, each one has his own approach. Each pitcher will be tasked to approach certain teams according to opposition batting.”
When it comes to fielding, the men in green and gold can be impenetrable when the adrenaline accelerates.
Take the midfield juggernauts of Sello Molokoane and Matleng Phasha who skillfully marshal second base and shot stop, respectively.
The Ga-Mphahlele duo performs the whole gamut of tricks from spectacular diving catches to double play executions.
Meanwhile, Tyler Croft remains the catalyst in this engine room, expertly linking infielders with outfields.
First base maestro Phomolo Phaladi has long cemented himself in his position and already established formidable combination with all the infielders.
Altino Elliot, Mandla Matswenyane and Rowen Ebersohn have acquitted themselves in the outfield with unmatched athleticism.
Introduce utility Mogau Thupudi into the mix and you have a gang of marauders.
While this team does not particularly have a permanent third baseman, Nkomori Chepape has done splendidly well if he is not a catcher alongside George Hlanga, Alistair Veale and Tyrone Milne.
The four have cemented their positions in the catcher’s box, thanks in a greater part to their impressive glove work.
Assistant coaches Nakedi Raphalo, Thabang Letsoalo and Thapelo Seshoka must emphasise belligerence in the batter’s box to amass a heap of runs.
The team comprises players who are indispensable to both the defensive and offensive lineups capable of unleashing homeruns and planting bunts.
South Africa’s batting is one of the most impressive on the international stages and with the current form, seniors like Phaladi, Molokwane, Chepape and Thupudi are expected to open the floodgates with aggression.
Indeed, the future has never been as bright as it is now for South African softball.
Reams have been written in some quarters of the world about how realities of the World Cup are loaded against the South African team – and they are!
But one gets the feeling that a new mood is sweeping through the African representatives.
Kekana, who this tournament could be his swansong, says every player wants to leave an indelible benchmark in the national team.
“Most of the players in the senior national team are ageing but the good thing is that our seniority is the reason why we want go all out and represent our country with pride and joy. Representing one’s country is the ultimate commitment of patriotism. Softball players sacrifice a lot to travel overseas to perform national duties.”
Individual confidence and ebullience are the common denominator and now the players are standard bearers of a combative unit determined to change the all-too-stodgy approach of South African softball.
The reason is the appearances of any number of veterans and newcomers willing to embrace a more adventurous mindset, seemingly not dispirited by years of defeat and subconscious intimidation from so-called Softball Super Powers”.
Spurred by a fine set of progressive coaches – particularly Raphasha’s no-nonsense approach – this breed just longs to go out and, literally give it a go.
Softball South Africa’s Honorary President, Matthews Kutumela, has thrown his last cent on the national.
Kutumela said even though the African Championship kings are circled in Group B alongside Japan, Australia’ Steelers, Canada, Venezuela and Denmark, Simunye will rise to the occasion at Rosedale Park.
“When you look at group B, you see some of softball superpowers but now South Africa has a strong team and they’ll give a good account of themselves” said Kutumela, a WBSC Hall of Fame inductee.
Archibald Ditlhake, the head of delegation, says the South African contingent will embark on a journey to New Zealand to ensure that African softball is well represented.
He said “We are taking a strong team comprising talented players, shrewd technical staff, a medical officer, statistician as well as our umpires and scorers who will be officiating at this tournament. With so much depth in Team SA, we are hoping to improve on our international rankings.”
Upon arrival, Raphasha and his charges will trade bats with a local team in a practice match to acclimatise with the local weather.
They will then open their World Cup account with world No.2 Japan in a midday fixture during the opening ceremony on November 26.
FIRST ROUND FIXTURE
26 NOVEMBER
SA v Japan
27 NOVEMBER
SA v Nenezuela
28 NOVEMBER
Canada v SA
29 NOVEMBER
SA v Denmark
30 NOVEMBER
Australia v SA