South African Baseball has announced new coaching appointments across multiple age groups in the national team programme with each set for major international and continental events during the year ahead, including the Under-23 World Cup and the Under-15 World Cup, along with a European tour for South African Baseball’s senior national team [link]. The appointments were made after a nomination process through the provincial baseball organizations.
Notable within the revamped coaching staff for the senior national team is the return of the first African player to make the majors, former South Africa national player and long-time professional Gift Ngoepe. Ngoepe is uniquely placed given his playing experience with both South African domestic structures and baseball leagues around the world, including 11 years in the minors, plus time in Australia, Canada, and U.S. independent leagues. Since 2023, he has been a manager and coach in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization, and is currently bench coach of the Hillsboro Hops (High-A Northwest League). As “Coach Consultant”, Ngoepe will assist the South African Baseball senior men’s team with international preparations while working closely with local counterparts.
For the senior team, the coaching staff for the Africa Championship and European tour includes Tyrone Baglione as head coach, assisted by Dean Mckinon, Daryn Smith, Kevin Leak, and Neil Adonis, with Ngoepe also on board. Gavin Bennett will serve as Head of Delegation (HOD).
The SA National Men’s U23 team preparing for the World Cup in Nicaragua will be led by Clive Pretorius, with Theodore Speelman, Daniel Mokgehle, Jonathan Viljoen, and Tyrone Baglione named as assistant coaches. Lindi Leigh Erasmus has been appointed as HOD.
For the SA National Boys U18 team preparing for the African Championships, Liall Mauritz has been named Head Coach together with assistant coaches Daniel Coetzer, Kyle Titus, and Talent Rikhotso. Lionel Long will serve as HOD.
The SA National Boys U15 team heading to the World Cup in Mexico will be led by Paul van der Merwe as Head Coach, assisted by Gareth Long, Tony Alexander, and Thabang Letsoalo, while Deidre Marquard has been appointed as HOD.
For the SA National Boys U12 team preparing for the African Championships, Shawn Schwartz has been appointed as Head Coach alongside assistant coaches Quinton Amos and Alroy Savides. Daryn-Ann Boniface will serve as the Head of Delegation.
“I am happy to see continuity within our national programmes while also drawing from the national footprint of our coaching structures across South Africa, with a strong focus towards international participation and competitiveness,” said Marc Moreau, President of South African Baseball Union. “The commission recommendations also see a more focused approach towards category-specialist coaching across the various national programmes. I want to thank the provinces for their input and all the coaches and HOD’s who have once again put up their hand to support South African Baseball.“
South African Baseball Coaching Staffs
Senior: Tyrone Baglione (Head Coach); Dean Mckinon, Daryn Smith, Kevin Leak, and Neil Adonis; Gift Ngoepe (Coach Consultant).
U23: Clive Pretorius (Head Coach); Theodore Speelman, Daniel Mokgehle, Jonathan Viljoen, and Tyrone Baglione.
U18: Liall Mauritz (Head Coach); Daniel Coetzer, Kyle Titus, and Talent Rikhotso.
U15: Paul van der Merwe (Head Coach); Gareth Long, Tony Alexander, and Thabang Letsoalo.
U12: Shawn Schwartz (Head Coach); Quinton Amos and Alroy Savides.
South African Baseball also confirmed the additional Elite Training Squad (ETS) [link] coaching structures across the various national programmes as part of the federation’s continued focus on player development and expanding the national coaching pipeline.
South African Baseball Elite Training Squad Coaching Structure
Senior: Tyrone Baglione.
U23: Mark Du Plessis, Braydon Bartle, and Clint Alfino.
U18: Duwane Peters, Reece Groenewald, and Lance Gordon.
U15: Clifford White, Clifton Barnes, and Hendrik Swafo.
U12: Ian Smith, Shawn Garett, Brendon Jooste, Ricardo Marinus, Rey Van Der Ross, and Adam Boniface.