Hosts South Africa will battle it out with Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the four-day event.

The top two countries will ensure their place at the World Championship, which are scheduled to take place in Chiba in Japan from August 2 to 12.

Botswana coach Bobby Khupe, a retired Major, said that he had called up players that are both new to the national team and versatile.

"I like the fact that the squad is open minded for change," he told Botswana's Daily News.

Team manager Same Molete said that the team begun a two-month training camp in November.

Kenya and Uganda were Africa’s two representatives at the 2016 Women's Softball World Championship in Surrey in Canada.

Uganda ranked 24^th out 31 teams, while Kenya finished 28^th.

The United States triumphed after beating defending champions Japan in the final.

The Americans had won seven consecutive titles at the event before succumbing to gold medal match defeats to Japan at two editions in a row.

Japan also beat the US in the final of the Olympic competition at Beijing 2008.

Baseball and softball were axed from the Olympic programme following Beijing 2008, but they have been re-added for Tokyo 2020.