Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

South Africa's senior men's and women's national softball teams face tricky assignments in their defence of the Zone 6 Softball Championships against capable Botswana in Ekurhuleni this weekend.

This three-nation showpiece that also features Zimbabwe, is hosted by South Africa at the Red Sox Softball Fields in Kempton Park. It starts tomorrow with the final on Sunday.

South Africa swept the boards in this event in Lusaka, Zambia last year, with Botswana finishing second. Their meeting this term should continue to enthrall spectators.

Like in Lusaka, only three countries will compete this year after Zambia, Lesotho and Namibia pulled out.

Zimbabwe, who entertain South Africa and Botswana tomorrow, should expect a hiding considering that they do not have strong softball national squads.

"Though our aim was to have more teams this year, we are happy that the tournament will be staged as scheduled," Guillo Marapyane, Softball SA's boss, said yesterday. "All these countries are bringing in their capable players and we are appealing to the people of Ekurhuleni to come in droves to enjoy entertaining softball."