The United States are among the favourites for the tournament ©WBSC

The United States will begin their pursuit of an historic fifth consecutive Under-18 Baseball World Cup title when they face South Africa in their opening match of the tournament in South Korea.

The US are favourites to retain their crown at the World Baseball Softball Confederation competition, which gets underway at Gijang-Hyundai Dream Ballpark tomorrow.

They have won their previous 16 Under-18 Baseball World Cup matches and last tasted defeat at the event in 2015, losing to Japan.

A fifth straight triumph for the US would see them become the first team to achieve the feat.

South Africa, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Panama and Spain stand in the American team's way in Group B.

Group A features South Korea, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, Nicaragua and China.

Six matches are due to be held on the opening day in Gijan ©WBSC
Six matches are due to be held on the opening day in Gijan ©WBSC

The US against South Africa is one of three Group B matches scheduled for the opening day as Panama play Chinese Taipei and Japan entertain Spain.

In Group A, China go up against Canada in the tournament opener before Nicaragua take on Australia and the Netherlands face South Korea.

The top three teams from Group A will play the top three teams from Group B in the super round, which runs from September 5 to 7.

The nations who finish in the first two positions in the super round will contest the final on September 8.