Limpopo Baobabs are brimming with confidence ahead of the SPAR Netball Championships in Cape Town.
LIMPOPO Baobabs will embark on the great trek to Cape Town for what promises to be an exhilarating Spar National Netball Championships from August 6 to 11 at the Stellenbosch High School.
They are billed to compete against the country’s top provincial and district sides to mark Women’s Month.
Netball South Africa (NSA) announced the Mother City as the host for the blockbuster tournament.
The Baobabs have been busy in this flagship tournament after they finished 4th overall.
They had some big wins in round-robin including over Diamonds and Sunbirds, but lost the semi to Queens 49-55 and the bronze playoff to Sonoblomo.
Their talismanic shooter Rochelle Maree was named Best Player of the Tournament for Division 2 and has been clutch with long-range shots. Coach Emily Mathosa said the top-4 finish is a “message of intent” and the goal is to come back stronger.
On attack, Centre Jessica Matjiu controls play up front for the team, launching 12 feeds inside the shooting circle, providing goal assists and grabbing two intercepts to give the Limpopo side goal margins.
In front of their supporters who are expected travel all the way from Limpopo, the Baobabs will continue to trot along comfortably.
Defending champions Johannesburg will be chasing a fifth consecutive national title after edging Cape Town 52-51 in last year’s dramatic final in Boksburg.
A total of 122 teams, including 58 senior district sides and 64 under-21 teams, will compete across six days, with approximately 1,900 players and 100 umpires converging on Cape Town.
Matches will be played across two venues, including two indoor courts with specialised flooring, eight outdoor courts – three with floodlights – and additional courts at Gene Louw Primary School.
The championships culminate on August 11, with the under-21 final followed by the senior final.
Taking place during Women’s Month, the tournament will also celebrate Women’s Day August 9, shining a spotlight on the continued growth and success of women’s sport in South Africa.
The event remain a key talent identification platform for NSA, with many current and former SPAR Proteas having first showcased their abilities at the annual tournament.
Netball SA President Mami Diale expressed her excitement ahead of the tournament.
“For many years, the SPAR National Netball Championships have been a valuable platform for university clubs and coaches to discover the untapped talent available in the country. The tournament’s consistent growth demonstrates the talent and the desire of thousands of young girls to play the sport,” says Diale.