South African Softball Ladies Gear Up for World Cup Qualifiers in Spain
Competing in Group B in Valencia
The South African women’s Softball team is all set to make their mark at the Soft Ball World Cup Group B in Valencia, Spain. From Tuesday, 18 to Saturday, 22 July 2023, these determined athletes will take on some of the world’s top-ranked teams, with their opening game against Spain, currently ranked 12th globally.
A Determined Underdog in the Spotlight
Ranked 38th in the world, the South African ladies in green and gold will undoubtedly face a challenging journey at the tournament. Despite being seen as underdogs, they are fueled by their determination to showcase their talent on the world stage.
In Group B, South Africa will face an tough battle against some formidable opponents. The clear pre-tournament favorites are Puerto Rico, the world’s 4th-ranked team. The group comprises six teams, with China ranked 11th, Netherlands ranked 10th, and Cuba ranked 28th making up the other spots in the group.
🇪🇸 Valencia is ready to welcome the world
— WBSC ⚾🥎 (@WBSC) July 17, 2023
🥎🏆 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group B opens tomorrow
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Two other groups competing for World Cup Final Spots
The previous week saw Group A in action in Ireland, where the United States claimed the top spot, with Australia securing second place. Notably, the United States team featured the exceptional 28-year-old Olympic silver medalist, Hannah Flippen, who led the tournament in RBI stats.
Looking ahead, Group C will take center stage in Italy next week, featuring teams such as Canada, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, and Venezuela, all vying to secure a spot in the ultimate Women’s Softball World Cup finals. The top two teams from each group will qualify, with an additional two wild card entries.
South Africa's Road to Qualification
South Africa earned its eighth World Cup qualification by emerging victorious in the African title in February. Going undefeated, they claimed the top spot, leaving Botswana, ranked 47th in the world, in second place. The South African team displayed their dominance with wins against Botswana, Kenya, and Lesotho, securing their ticket to the premier international women’s softball tournament.
For the latest game results and statistics, you can visit the official World Baseball Softball Confederation website [here]: https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-xvii-womens-softball-world-cup-group-b/schedule-and-results
