Limpopo Baobabs Explained

Team Name:Limpopo Baobabs
Founded:2014
Location:Polokwane
Regions:Limpopo
Coach:Emily Mathosa
League:Telkom Netball League
Body1:blue
Skirt1:red
Body2:blue
Skirt2:blue

Limpopo Baobabs are a South African netball team based in Polokwane. Since 2014 they have represented Limpopo in the Telkom Netball League. In 2023 they were Division Two champions and, after winning a play-off, they were promoted to Division One.

History

Brutal Fruit Netball Cup

In 2014, Limpopo Baobabs, together with Southern Stings, Kingdom Stars, Mpumalanga Sunbirds and Northern Cape Diamonds, became founder members of Division Two of the Brutal Fruit Netball Cup.[1] [2] [3] Between 2014 and 2016, Baobabs were coached by Cecilia Molekwane.[4] [5] Molekwane subsequently became the president of Netball South Africa.[6]

Telkom Netball League

In 2023, Limpopo Baobabs finished the season as the Telkom Netball League Division Two champions. Baobabs were exceptional in the round-robin stages, winning 13 out of 15 games to qualify for the semi-final. In the final they defeated Western Cape Tornados 65–40.[7] [8] [9] After defeating Kingdom Stars 55–37 in a promotion/relegation play-off, Baobabs replaced Stars in Division One.[10] [11] At the 2023 Limpopo Women in Sports Awards, Limpopo Baobab were named the Team of the Year and their head coach, Emily Mathosa, was named Coach of the Year.[12] In 2024, Baobabs lost all their Division A matches during the round-robin stages but in a promotion/relegation play-off, they defeated Kingdom Stars 65–40 and, as a result, they secured their spot in the top division.[13]

Finals/Playoffs

Promotion/Relegation

SeasonWinners ScoreRunners Up Venue
2023Limpopo Baobabs55–37Kingdom Stars
2024Limpopo Baobabs65–40Kingdom Stars

Notable players

Captains

Coaches

Head coaches

Coach Years
2014–2016Cecilia Molekwane
2017Dumisani Chauke[19]
2018Jenne-lee Delport[20]
2020Paulinah Thobakgale
2020–2021Anna Ledwaba
2022– Emily Mathosa

Assistant coaches

Coach Years
2021Vasta Nchefu
2022Monique Lombard
2023Tshimangadzo Munyai

Honours

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brutal Fruit Netball Cup Countdown Begins. gsport.co.za. 30 April 2014. 6 September 2024.
  2. Web site: First semi-professional competition for SA netball. www.southafrica.info. https://web.archive.org/web/20150107231554/http://www.southafrica.info/news/sport/netball-brutal-fruit-020514.htm#.VK2-MLPP32c. 7 January 2015. 2 May 2014. 1 September 2024.
  3. Web site: SA Netball goes professional with Brutal Fruit. www.sabstories.co.za. https://web.archive.org/web/20140524041519/http://www.sabstories.co.za/beer-culture/sa-netball-goes-professional-with-brutal-fruit/. 24 May 2014. 9 May 2014. 1 September 2024.
  4. Web site: Netball league takes flight. www.citizen.co.za. 6 May 2014. 6 September 2024.
  5. Web site: Limpopo Baobabs all set for the netball league. www.citizen.co.za. 5 April 2016. 6 September 2024.
  6. Web site: 50 days to African World Cup. supersport.com. 8 June 2023. 6 September 2024.
  7. Web site: Baobabs win historic Telkom Netball League Division Two title. netball-sa.co.za. 30 June 2023. 5 September 2024.
  8. Web site: Baobabs win historic Netball League Division 2 title. supersport.com. 30 June 2023. 19 June 2024.
  9. Web site: Emily Mathosa on Leading Limpopo Baobabs to TNL Division Two Title Glory. gsport.co.za. 12 July 2023. 3 May 2024.
  10. Web site: Limpopo Baobabs wins netball league. www.citizen.co.za. 8 July 2023. 6 September 2024.
  11. Web site: Limpopo Baobabs promoted to Netball league top division. limpopochronicle.co.za. 13 August 2024. 6 September 2024.
  12. Web site: Limpopo Baobab team brag with team of the year award. www.citizen.co.za. 5 November 2023. 6 September 2024.
  13. Web site: Crinums clinch fourth Telkom Netball League Championship Title. netball-sa.co.za. 19 June 2024. 31 August 2024.
  14. Web site: Netball league resumes with Proteas stars in the mix. www.news24.com. 15 October 2020. 2 September 2024.
  15. Web site: Limpopo Baobabs profile 2021. netball-sa.co.za. https://web.archive.org/web/20211203154243/https://netball-sa.co.za/team/limpopo-baobabs/. 3 December 2021. 6 September 2024.
  16. Web site: Limpopo Baobabs profile 2022. netball-sa.co.za. https://web.archive.org/web/20240304173151/https://netball-sa.co.za/team/limpopo-baobabs/. 4 March 2024. 6 September 2024.
  17. Web site: TNL2022 Captains Check-In. netball-sa.co.za. 19 May 2022. 2 September 2024.
  18. Web site: Telkom Netball League Squads For 2023. www.netballjunkie.com. 22 April 2023. 30 August 2024.
  19. Web site: Baobabs coach proud of team despite setback. www.citizen.co.za. 25 May 2017. 6 September 2024.
  20. Web site: Boababs strengthen the team ahead of BFNPL. www.citizen.co.za. 10 May 2018. 6 September 2024.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Limpopo Baobabs".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.