The teams have contested the last three women's club basketball finals and should figure prominently again as the new season begins at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.
Ajax has won the last two of those finals and showed its class in a clinical performance over the Magic to win last year's title.
It is anchored by Tall Ferns guard Nicole Ruske, a multi-dimensional scorer and tough defender.
She is joined by sisters Aleisha and Olivia O'Neill, who make up a classy and athletic backcourt. They will be tough to contain in the open floor and can threaten both at the hoop and from the outside.
On the inside, Natalie Smith, who has captained the Otago Gold Rush the past two seasons, brings both experience and quality.
The South Pac Magic has plenty of new names mixed in with a handful of quality returning players.
A nimble defender and dangerous threat driving in transition, she can influence the game on both ends.
Georgia Te Au adds quality to the backcourt, while Claudia Flaws is another strong returning threat.
How its new faces integrate could be key.
Notable among them is Letitia Mullaly, from Canterbury, who will add strength inside.
Varsity is a potential dark horse, retaining plenty of talent from last season and making some useful additions.
First-year student Alex Bennett and Alana Wouters, who transfers from the Andy Bay Falcons, both add quality size.
Guard Liv McManaway comes across from the Magic.
They will look to experienced guards Jodie Hope, Jenna Small and Tayla MacDonald to fill the void, although the lack of a genuine ball handler may hurt them.
Andy Bay Kavanagh - primarily a school team - has picked up Gold Rush swingman and tough defender Bronwyn Kjestrup.
They also boast two of the region's best youngsters in Annabelle Ring and Dre Whaanga.
South Pac OGHS joins this year, taking it back to a six-team league.
