In what was the match of the season so far, NWU caused the first upset of the 2024 Varsity Netball tournament when they beat defending champions UP Tuks by a single goal in round 4 at the Madibaz Sports Centre in Gqeberha. Log leaders UJ remain unbeaten, but had to fight hard to win the Johannesburg derby against Wits while UFS Kovsies scored a solid victory over Maties and Madibaz thoroughly beat TUT.
UJ 59 – 42 WITS
The two giants of Johannesburg student netball faced off in a seesaw battle with last year’s runners-up UJ eventually getting the upper hand over Wits.
For first three quarters of the match the result could have gone either way and it was only in the last 15 minutes the Orange Army pulled away from their opponents.
UJ established a fantastic defensive system which proved too difficult to penetrate as Wits sought to make up the six-point difference going into the final quarter. Gaps opened up as they pushed forward, allowing the Orange Army easy goals when they took the ball off the ladies in blue. Ultimately it was this that gave UJ the comfortable win.
As has become customary, the combination of UJ goal-attack Henlize Basson and goalshooter Muhluri Hlatshwayo was lethal. They have a fantastic understanding – almost telepathic at times – and it was Wits who bore the brunt on this occasion.
That is not to say that Wits didn’t deliver some magic moments of their own. Wing-attack Zanele Soviya was an absolute livewire on attack while Giada Prinsloo again showed why she is such a powerful opponent in front of goal.
With the experience of former Protea captain Bongi Msomi as their coach, UJ managed to secure the 59-42 victory over Wits who have proved to be a bit of a surprise package so far this season.
UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Aphiwe Thusini, Boitumelo Mehloko, Cornelia Mupenda, Gugulethu Mdladla, Henlize Basson, Jade Niemand, Kamogelo Motsepe, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Tarle Mathe.
Wits: Alix Horn, Amy Horn, Elmarie Vusieka, Giada Prinsloo, Kagisho Itholeng, Liani Gilmour, Oratile Mokone, Panashe Chiranga, Philasandre Ntuli, Shani Mokken, Thandiwe Mokiti, Zanele Soviya.
Quarter Scores: 12-11 | 28-23 | 40-34 | 59-42
FNB Player of the match: Tarle Mathe (UJ)
NWU 62 – 61 UP TUKS
Whoever wrote the script for the titanic battle between defending champions UP Tuks and NWU deserves an Academy Award with the Eagles walking away with top honours this time.
Going down to the very last play, the pace at which the match was played never dropped off for a second, and if anyone ever thought powerplays do not add to the sport of netball, they should think otherwise.
Tuks have four trophies in the cabinet for a reason. Their patience and incredible work rate will always make them formidable opponents. Except in this game with NWU matching them not only in these areas but in every other aspect as well.
The difference, however, were the powerplays. NWU used both – particularly the last quarter surge – to put Tuks under serious scoreboard pressure, with their ever-impressive goalshooter Sunel Smit not missing a beat.
The defending champions were never going to go away though, and even with Smit racking up the goals in the powerplays the Pretoria ladies’ superb passing game kept them in it. Tuks goalattack Kamogelo Maseko is one of the best in the business and was a handful every time she touched the ball.
Full credit must also go to NWU’s defence, with goal defence Sanmarie Visser and goalkeeper Martiné Jordaan standing out in getting their team over the line by the barest of margins, 62-61.
Quarter Scores: 13-15 | 30-27 | 45-47 | 62-61
FNB Player of the match: Sunel Smit (NWU)
NWU: Casey Davids, Jade Egwatu, Nadine Hefer, Martiné Jordaan, Kegaugetswe Mashilo, Amori Matthee, Tlotlang Mokomela, Nicola Oosthuizen, Sunel Smit, Jaylin van Zyl, Sanmarie Visser.
UP Tuks: Alice Kennon, Caroline Paul, Jamie Williamson, Kamogelo Maseko, Kylie van Wyk, Luca Keun, Marichelle Visagie, Melissa van Zyl, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa, Phophi Nematangari, Tinita van Dyk, Kyla Dames.
UFS KOVSIES 56 – 45 MATIES
Structured, physical netball was the name of the game in the clash between UFS Kovsies and Maties with Kovsies ultimately prevailing.
The Free Staters have a lot of cool heads in their ranks, and this was a major factor in what in the end turned out to be a comfortable victory. At no point did they look out of control or panicked. They are blessed with an excellent passing game in both defence and attack, and they certainly used it to great effect against the Maroon Machine.
At certain points Maties certainly appeared to be in the game, but one felt they did not go for the jugular when opportunities arose. In truth, they looked a little flat compared to their performance in the third round on Sunday.
Kovsies had a number of standout performers, but the high praise must go to goalkeeper Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo for her outstanding work at the back. As far as defensive efforts go, this was among the best at student level. Goal attack Xandri Fourie and wing attack Elri Groenewald also put in great shifts to help their side get the points.
After seven goals separated the teams at halftime, Kovsies stayed in front in the last two quarters to seal a 56-45 victory.
Quarter Scores: 13-7 | 26-19 | 43-30 | 56-45
FNB Player of the match: Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo (UFS Kovsies)
UFS Kovsies: Liamé De Lange, Demi-Leigh de Jager, Megan Erasmus, Xandri Fourie, Elri Groenewald, Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo, Thandolwethu Mokoena, Refiloe Nketsa, Asanele Malgas, Rolene Streutker, Charné van Vuuren, Karla Victor.
Maties: Adriana Carstens, Bianca Odendaal, Chrisley Marshall, Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, Lize Rossouw, Marné Abrahamse, Michelle van der Merwe, Miriam Ndjadi, Renezia Andrews, Shanidine Bezuidenhout, Syntiche Kabuya, Thabisa Yekani.
MADIBAZ 75 – 21 TUT
Madibaz hosted the second bumper weekend and ended it on a high with a comprehensive drubbing of TUT.
With their fans baying for a big result on home soil, they came out like a house on fire, racking up early points to stamp their authority on the game within the first few minutes.
Goalshooter Kaylin Coetzer is among the best in the competition. While her height certainly is a factor, her positional play and accuracy are seldom off the mark. Goal attack Anke Britz was just as impressive, constantly finding space to present Coetzer with countless goal opportunities. Centre Hanniska van Vuuren was also a terrier for Madibaz, and the pressure she exerted both in defence and attack was simply too much for TUT to handle.
Madibaz will take great confidence from putting more than 70 points on the board and may just surprise a few of the more-fancied teams in the rounds to come.
With another 10-point deduction, TUT now find themselves well and truly at the bottom of the log. There will need to be a lot of soul-searching in the camp following their 25-71 loss to Madibaz.
Quarter Scores: 18-7 | 38-15 | 52-28 | 71-25 (10 goals deducted from TUT for failing to include a minimum of two players from designated transformation group)
FNB Player of the match: Kaylin Coetzer (Madibaz)
Madibaz: Angel Mlambo, Anke Britz, Edon Snyman, Erin Hartland, Hanniska van Vuuren, Inganathi Sapepa, Kaylin Coetzer, Kelly du Toit, Mothira Mohammad, Siyamthanda Dingiswayo, Tashlyn van Schoor, Jeannique Rossouw.
TUT: Desiree Mohlala, Fulufhelo Remember Nenzhelele, Gomolemo Mashiane, Katleho Motaung, Modjadji Mokgehle, Naledi Makoa, Philile Bokwe, Thembalethu Buthelezi, Keamogetswe Ngobeni, Oageng Motileng, Yolanda Makhubela, Nosibusiso Khwela.
Round 5 fixtures on 16 September HERE.
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