Joburg dig deep to clinch record fourth straight SPAR National Netball Championships crown

There was just one goal in it at the end, just like in 2024, but that’s all that was needed for Johannesburg to secure the SPAR National Netball Championships trophy for a record fourth straight year after an exhilarating 52-51 victory over Cape Town in Boksburg on Saturday.

There was a massive sense of relief for coach – and former SPAR Proteas captain – Elsjé Jordaan after what’s been a tough week, starting with a loss to the same Cape Town side in their opening match on Monday, followed by a draw with Mangaung the following day.

But her team pulled through in impressive fashion, holding their nerve in a nail-biting final quarter to clinch the win.

“I actually have no words, I’m so proud, the growth over the week is just amazing… There was so much pressure on us with all the JNA [Johannesburg Netball Association] teams performing so well, we couldn’t let them down,” said an emotional Jordaan afterwards.

Unlike their semifinal a day earlier, the Johannesburg side produced a strong opening quarter, using their speed to power to a 16-10 lead by the first break.

The Capetonians slowed things right down in the second quarter, however, enabling them to close the gap with five unanswered goals and edge ahead by one by halftime. Joburg regained their composure in the second half and by the final quarter had built a five-goal cushion. But a few errors right at the death allowed Cape Town back in it, equalising with less than a minute left on the clock.

With the centre pass still in Joburg’s hands, they kept their cool under immense pressure to sink the final goal and edge in front again with no time left for Cape Town to come back, prompting elated singing and dancing on court.

Thrilled Johannesburg captain Tinita van Dyk was proud of how her team had improved throughout the week.

“Our tournament started really difficult. I think it was good that we struggled so much on the first day. That forced us to really go back to the drawing board and see what we had to improve on. I think it was good that we didn't have it easy,” she said.

As for the final itself, Van Dyk added: “It was a massive fight from the team… It was a much better start than yesterday. Very relieved about the start that we had. I think that gave the whole team a bit of confidence to know that we were in it. We just needed to play our own netball in our own time until the end, and I think that's what helped us in the end.”

Cape Town and SPAR Proteas goal attack Nicholé Breedt was equally proud of her team, who remained unbeaten all week until the final.

“I actually said at the beginning of the tournament that the team that's going to win at the end of the day is the team that's going to make the least amount of mistakes. And unfortunately… we were the ones letting ourselves down. It was nothing else,” she said.

“I think every small error we made, they really capitalised on, and I must give it to them. They worked really hard today from beginning to end. They came at us very strong and they ended strong.

“But I think we've grown a lot throughout the week, and I'm very proud of who we are, not only as players, but people as well, and what we've shown towards the end of the tournament. And I think we've got a lot of growing to do for tournaments to come, so I'm excited what we're still going to bring. So hard luck for us today, but we're not done,” added Breedt.

Meanwhile, in the other senior playoff match of the day, Mangaung beat the Dr Kenneth Kaunda team 54-53 in another thriller to secure third place.

In the under-21 A section, defending champions Johannesburg headed into the final against the Dr Kenneth Kaunda side from the North West as clear favourites after cruising through the week unbeaten.

They duly delivered, racing into a 12-5 lead by the end of the first quarter. They were 26-13 up by halftime and while they dropped off slightly in the second half, there was no stopping them from wrapping up a comfortable 44-33 victory.

The Johannesburg side are coached by former SPAR Proteas captain Bongi Msomi, who admitted afterwards she actually prefers coaching to playing.

As for leading the side to back-to-back wins after they had failed to win a single match in 2023, Msomi reckoned: “It feels really good. It's funny how we talk about being an underdog one year, then the next year you're actually a threat.

“We’re doing really well as a district, but the challenge is to maintain this, because it obviously doesn't just come. It's a lot of work behind the scenes… I’m so, so proud and I really hope even if it's me or someone else, we can continue this journey with Johannesburg Netball, because it also builds up for what's happening at national level.”

As the curtain came down on another successful championships, newly elected president of Netball South Africa Mami Diale hailed the importance of the event.

“The SPAR National Netball Championships remains one of the most important pillars of our netball development system. It brings together talent from every province, creates opportunities for young players to be seen, and strengthens the pathways into high-performance environments, the Telkom Netball League, and ultimately, the national team,” she said.

“To our headline sponsor SPAR, thank you for your unwavering commitment to women's sport and community development. Your partnership continues to change lives and uplift netball at every level. We also extend our appreciation to Telkom and all supporting sponsors who make these championships possible.”

RESULTS

Senior A section

Final: Johannesburg 52 – 51 Cape Town

3rd/4th place playoff: Mangaung 54 – 53 Dr Kenneth Kaunda

Player awards:

Best shooter: Sian Moore (Cape Town)

Best midcourt player: Sanelisiwe Ntomi (Johannesburg)

Best defender: Thulisile Maduna (eThekwini)

Player of the Tournament: Amber Coraesen (Cape Town)

Under-21 A section

Final: Johannesburg 44 – 33 Dr Kenneth Kaunda

3rd/4th place playoff: Tshwane 41 – 37 Cape Town

Player awards:

Best shooter: Giada Prinsloo (Johannesburg)

Best midcourt player: Naledi Nakoa (Tshwane)

Best defender: Eloné Dippenaar (Cape Town)

Player of the Tournament: Boitumelo Mokoena (Johannesburg)