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 won the Division Two Shield 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. Between 2014 and 2016, Baobabs were coached by Cecilia Molekwane. Molekwane subsequently became the president of Netball South Africa.
Telkom Netball League In 2023, Limpopo Baobabs finished the season as the Division Two Shield winners. 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. After defeating Kingdom Stars 55–37 in a promotion/relegation play-off, Baobabs replaced Stars in Division One. 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. 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.
Finals/Playoffs Division Two Shield Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2023Limpopo Baobabs65–40Western Cape TornadosHeartfelt Arena Promotion/Relegation Season Winners Score Runners up Venue2023Limpopo Baobabs55–37Kingdom StarsHeartfelt Arena 2024Limpopo Baobabs65–40Kingdom Stars
Notable players Captains Years Captains 2020–2023Nthabiseng Mothutsi
Coaches Head coaches Coach Years2014–2016Cecilia Molekwane2017Dumisani Chauke2018Jenne-lee Delport2020Paulinah Thobakgale2020–2021Anna Ledwaba2022– Emily Mathosa
Assistant coaches Coach Years2021Vasta Nchefu2022Monique Lombard2023Tshimangadzo Munyai
Honours Division Two Shield 2023 Telkom Netball League Promotion/Relegation Play-off 2023, 2024
References
External links Limpopo Baobabs on Facebook Limpopo Baobabs on Instagram