The stakes could not have been higher as the Telkom Netball League semifinals took centre stage in Pretoria on Saturday, with teams leaving everything on court in the pursuit of a coveted place in the championship final.
🎥 One step from the title. Here's a look back at the action, emotion and defining moments from the Division 1 semi-finals 🔥
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 13, 2026
📺 See more highlights on https://t.co/WkaNnYac1V. Catch the Telkom Netball League action LIVE on SuperSport your World of Champions. #TelkomStandTall pic.twitter.com/y7oPqh2iYF
The Crinums were first to book their spot in the Division One final after keeping their unbeaten record intact following their 60-37 win against the Jaguars.
The Crinums exerted pressure on every line from the onset and set themselves six goals apart halfway through the first quarter.
The momentum prompted the Jaguars to make two positional changes, Tshinakaho Mdau moved from Centre to Wing Attack and Caroline Paul moved to Centre.
Despite the attacking changes, the Jaguars only managed to add two more goals but still trailed 16-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The Gauteng team had a more disciplined start in the second quarter and were more switched on.
They started playing to their strengths and the game became more defensive as the quarter score was deadlocked at 4-4 midway.
Jaguars Goal Attack Neo Mosweu converted two two-pointers during the super shot period, to try keep her side in contention but the Crinums were too stubborn to back down, heading into halftime with an 11-goal lead.
The relentless fight from the Jaguars saw them reduce the margin to nine goals early in the third quarter, courtesy of Wing Defense Phophi Nematangari’s intercept.
With both teams going toe-to-toe battling for possession, the quarter score was locked at 8-8 with five minutes remaining in the championship quarter.
The Crinums shifted gears and suffocated the Jaguars attack, forcing them to score no goals in the last five minutes of the quarter and took a 45-26 lead ahead of the fourth quarter.
The Jaguars became frustrated considering time wasn’t on their side while attempting to overturn a 22-goal margin but the overcooked feeds in the circle didn’t help the situation either.
The Crinums continued to display their dominance and showcased why they are still unbeaten after 13 games, overpowering the Jaguars to an emphatic 23-goal victory, and will now face the Golden Fireballs in Monday’s final.
The Crinums are through to the 2026 Telkom Netball League Division 1 Final, booking their eighth final appearance, beating the Jaguars 60-37 in their semi-final 🔥 Liamé de Lange GK of the Crinums POTM!#TNLCrinumsJaguars pic.twitter.com/A8kUiSmQFK
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 13, 2026
FIREBALLS PIP STINGS
Meanwhile, the Fireballs escaped past the Southern Stings in the second semifinal after winning by a narrow three goals in a game that went right down to the wire.
The Fireballs bolted down court after winning turnovers to take an early 19-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Stings had more ball possession in the second quarter and were able to convert scoring opportunities to lead 11-8 in the quarter.
Wing Defense Danielle Van Nieuwenhuizen came up with an astute intercept to help the Jaguars close the gap to two goals.
The Stings utilised the second super shot period effectively, by scoring a two-pointer and two single shots to level matters at halftime.
Stings coach Dr Freda Kemp called for strategic stoppage in the third quarter and that made a difference as the Western Cape team scored four goals versus the two of the Fireballs after the intervention.
The intercept battle saw Fireballs' defensive duo of Cornelia Mupenda and Boitumelo Mahloko sweep away a ball in the circle but that was quickly nullified by Van Nieuwenhuizen’s intercept.
With only four goals separating both teams at the start of the fourth quarter, the intensity increased as the sides traded goals.
The Fireballs recycled the ball for over a minute during the last super shot period and eventually secured a vital 57-54 victory and a spot in the final.
🔥 The Golden Fireballs overcome the Southern Stings (57-54) in an entertaining semi-final to book their place in a second consecutive Division 1 Final 🏆 Tarle Mathe POTM!#TNLFireballsStings pic.twitter.com/BmPG5UvOYM
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 13, 2026
TORNADOS DEFEAT SONOBLOMO
In Division Two, the Tornados and the Kingdom Queens will square off in the final after securing victories on Saturday afternoon.
The Tornados booked their place in the title decider with a 53-45 win over Sonoblomo.
After finding themselves under pressure, the Tornados fought their way back to secure 53-45 win over Sonoblomo and book their place in a fourth Division 2 Final 🏆 Big shots. Big moments. Hannah Kriel (GA, Tornados) delivered to win POTM 🌪️#TelkomStandTall pic.twitter.com/uOY0VJB5UQ
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 13, 2026
The opening few minutes of the contest were fairly tame as both sides settled into rhythm, with the score locked at 3-3 in the first five minutes.
The Defensive intensity soon increased, and a held ball call against the Tornados allowed Sonoblomo to go two goals up.
The remainder of the quarter remained closely fought with only two goals separating the sides before the first super shot period.
The Tornados converted four single shots to take a narrow 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Sonoblomo’s defensive unit of Wing Defense Kekeletso Molotsi, Goal Defense Lisa Van Vuuren and Goalkeeper Keevy-Ann Fourie played a pivotal role in the second quarter as they effectively shut down the Tornados attacking flow.
Their relentless pressure disrupted the Tornados movement through the goal third, limiting passing options and forcing the Western Cape side to recycle possession in the centre third.
The defensive squeeze played directly into Sonoblomo’s hands, with the Tornados giving away possession under pressure.
With four minutes remaining in the quarter, Sonoblomo had already amassed nine intercepts compared to the Tornados three, underlining their dominance at the back.
The defensive efforts translated onto the scoreboard as Sonoblomo opened up a ten-goal lead at halftime.
The Tornados came out with renewed intent in the third quarter especially since the introduction of Hannah Kriel on Goal Attack and Jani Bergh on Wing Attack, the changes brought some stability particularly on attack.
On the other end, Sonoblomo were starting to dip in momentum while the Tornados utilized the turnovers to reduce the margin to six goals, forcing Sonoblomo coach Jerminah Nteso to call for strategic time.
The coach highlighted the lack of defensive pressure as the Tornados found greater ease in feeding the ball in the circle to end the quarter 36-36.
With ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, just one goal separated the two sides as the intensity reached another level.
A missed attempt from Sonoblomo Shooter Leane Otto handed the Tornados an opportunity to extend their advantage, and Kriel made them pay. Clinical under the post, Kriel converted crucial opportunities and played a key role in stretching the lead to five goals.
As the pressure mounted, composure on attack became increasingly important. While both sides created scoring opportunities, shooting accuracy ultimately proved decisive.
Sonoblomo shooters, racing against time, began to show some strain, with Zeluleko Ntombela missing under the post.
In the end, Kriel’s influence in the shooting circle made the difference for the Tornados.
Her shooting accuracy and game-changing impact inspired the side to an eight-goal victory, earning her the Player of the Match accolade after converting nineteen of the twenty-six attempts including four assists.
🏆 Four teams entered. Two teams advanced. Relive the best moments from an unforgettable day of Division 2 semi-final action.
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 13, 2026
📺 See more highlights on https://t.co/WkaNnYac1V. Catch the Telkom Netball League action LIVE on SuperSport your World of Champions.#TelkomStandTall pic.twitter.com/CExuaW3QiN
QUEENS OVERCOME BAOBABS
In the second semifinal, the Queens outclassed the Limpopo Baobabs after beating them 55-49 to set up a final clash with the Tornados.
Both teams played it safe in the opening six minutes of the match, playing goal-for-goal, but the Baobabs began to create separation and led by three goals after capitalising on the Queens’ misplacements on attack which forced an early change for the KZN side, as Thobekile Mjaja replaced Kwanda Zulu on Goal Attack.
Mjaja converted a two-pointer during the super shot period shortly after coming in, but Baobabs Goal Attack Rochelle Maree responded with her own two-pointer, while Goal Shooter Nompha Raphalalani added a single shot to help the side lead 16-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Queens had some sense of urgency in the second quarter, capitalising from the Baobabs' short pass on the circle edge and converting their own centre pass to move within one goal.
The battle soon developed into an intercept battle, with both Goalkeepers coming to the fore with crucial defensive plays.
A timely intercept inside the circle by Queens Goalkeeper Ntombenhle Shongwe was converted by Shooter Aphiwe Thusini, drawing the scores level.
With momentum beginning to shift, Baobabs coach Emily Mathosa called for strategic timeout, urging her players to keep their heads up and maintain their intensity.
The intervention played its role as the Baobabs regained control, creating a four-goal lead before the super shot period.
Maree continued to shine under pressure, converting two two-point shots to help her side extend their lead to seven goals at halftime.
The Queens emerged from the break with fresh resolve and cut the deficit to just two goals through relentless defensive pressure that saw them score five consecutive goals in the first three minutes of the third quarter.
Later, a misplacement in the Baobabs circle allowed the Queens to level matters, with the score locked at 39-39 heading into the final quarter.
The final 15 minutes were strongly contested, just a single goal separated the sides halfway through the fourth quarter, setting up a tense finish.
However, a footwork infringement by Maree affected the Baobabs, allowing the Queens to lead by three goals in the last five minutes.
Queens Goalkeeper Lonwabo Khumalo who replaced Shongwe in the previous quarter, added further solidarity to the Queens defence after securing a goal third intercept, effectively extinguishing the Baobabs’ hopes of a comeback as the Queens stretched their lead to seven goals.
Although Maree responded with a two-pointer to keep the Baobabs in the contest, Queens shooter Aphiwe Thusini converted two single shots to seal a six-goal victory for her side and ultimately delivered a Player of the Match performance, finishing with a ninety-four-goal per centage.
👑 Back to the final! The Kingdom Queens found another gear in the final quarter and punched their ticket to a second Division 2 Final beating the Baobabs 55-49 🏆 Aphiwe Thusini (GS, Queens) wins POTM! #TNLBaobabsQueens pic.twitter.com/xUYpskSpaZ
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 13, 2026
RESULTS:
Crinums 60-37 Jaguars
Fireballs 57-54 Stings
Tornados 53-45 Sonoblomo
Baobabs 49-55 Queens