The stage is set, the diamonds are prepped, and the Senior leg of the South African National Baseball Championships 2025 officially kicks off on Tuesday, 8 April in Cape Town. With nine teams taking part—three women’s teams and six men’s teams—the coming days are set to deliver high-level baseball, provincial pride, and no shortage of thrilling matchups.
In the Women in Baseball (WIB) division, Gauteng has arrived with two powerful sides: Gauteng Diamonds 1 and Gauteng Diamonds 2. Gert van Antwerp once again provides steady leadership for Diamonds 1, while SA Women’s National Head Coach Hayley Scott-Maree takes the reins of Diamonds 2. Her involvement brings a high-performance lens to the event, offering valuable guidance to a team filled with emerging national-level prospects.
The host team, Cape Town Women, are eager to make their mark and defend their home turf. With growing depth and strong provincial pride, the Cape Town side is ready to test themselves against Gauteng’s elite.
In the Men’s Division, six teams will battle it out, including three from Cape Town and one each from Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mandela Bay. These squads are loaded with experienced players, national team regulars, and hungry young talent—all pointing to one of the most competitive senior tournaments in recent memory.
Cape Town A enters the tournament as a strong contender, led by Head Coach Jody Burch, fresh off his duties with the national team. The lineup includes heavy hitters like National Team Captain Jonathan Phillips and Dayle Feldtman, promising big plays and leadership at key moments.
Cape Town B, guided by National Pitching Coach Darryn Smith, will bring a sharp and strategic approach to the field. Cape Town C, under the leadership of Coach Darryn Wedel, rounds out the local trio and adds even more depth to the home crowd’s hopes.
From Gauteng, Clive Pretorius leads a well-drilled side, backed by years of provincial and national experience. Limpopo arrives under the guidance of Baseball5 National Head Coach Americo Juma, eager to challenge more established sides with flair and determination.
Representing the Eastern Cape, Mandela Bay is coached by Danie Coetzer, with Chairman Jonathan “Jonno” Viljoen proudly watching as his team brings Eastern Cape energy and pride to the field. He’ll no doubt be pleased to see the side in such capable hands as they look to make their mark on this year’s tournament.
All matches across both divisions will be contested in a round robin format over the first three days (Tuesday to Thursday). The top teams will move on to the knockout rounds on Friday, leading to a thrilling finals day on Saturday.
With every matchup holding the potential for an upset—and nearly every clash playing out like a derby—this year’s Senior NBC promises much excitement.
