South Africa won the women's category at the African Softball Championships to qualify for this year's Junior Women's Softball World Cup ©Cheryl Roberts

South Africa and Botswana have both qualified for the Men's World Softball Championship and the Junior Women's Softball World Cup following both their success at the African Softball Championships.

South Africa won both the men's and junior women's categories in front of a home crowd at the Mbolekwa Sports Complex in Atteridgeville. 

Botswana were defeated in the final of both events, but still qualified for the Men's World Championship and Junior Women's World Cup alongside the hosts.

"Congratulations to South Africa and Botswana for qualifying into the top international softball events in 2019," said Tommy Velazquez, WBSC softball division chairman. 

"Softball continues to evolve and bring opportunities in Africa, from grassroots levels to the highest honour, the national team. 

"WBSC, as well as others in our sport, are focusing efforts on the African continent, connecting with more and more young people and next generations of players. 

"I see a bright future for softball in the African continent, which will boost the Softball World Cup properties into the foreseeable future."

South Africa were victorious in the men's division of the African Softball Championships and qualified for this year's Men's World Softball Championship ©WBSC
South Africa were victorious in the men's division of the African Softball Championships and qualified for this year's Men's World Softball Championship ©WBSC

The Men's World Softball Championship will be held in Prague and Havlickuv Brod in the Czech Republic from June 13 to 23. 

All 16 places at the competition have now been filled, with South Africa and Botswana from Africa, world number one New Zealand and Australia from Oceania and Japan, Philippines and Singapore from Asia. 

Canada, Argentina, the United States, Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba have qualified from the Americas, while the Czech Republic, Denmark and The Netherlands are the European teams competing.

The Junior Women's Softball World Cup is in Irvine, California, from August 11 to 17. 

South Africa and Botswana are the last two teams to qualify, joining Australia and New Zealand from Oceania and Japan, Chinese Taipei and China from Asia.

The United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil have qualified from the Americas, with Italy, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Ireland from Europe.