TNL DAY 7 WRAP: Fireballs claim bragging rights in Gauteng derby

Day 7 of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) lived up to its promise of high-octane action, delivering thrilling and tightly contested matches that showcased the intense competition brewing at the Sun City Super Bowl.

With Power Week 1 in full swing, the league is undeniably bringing the heat.

The highly anticipated Gauteng Derby between the Golden Fireballs and the Jaguars lived up to its hype, with both teams giving it their all in a spectacular and pulse-pounding clash.

The Fireballs ultimately emerged victorious, claiming bragging rights in an intense encounter.

The match was marked by personal battles on the court, with both teams determined to come out on top.

The Fireballs took an early lead, but the Jaguars fought back, levelling the score at halftime.

The third quarter saw the teams neck and neck, with the Jaguars briefly taking the lead.

However, the Fireballs regained momentum and ultimately secured the win.

The Gauteng derby delivered! 🔥 The Jaguars kept hunting, but the Fireballs held their nerve to clinch a hard-fought win! 🐆🔥#TNLJaguarsFireballs #TelkomNL #TNLisBack #TelkomStandTall @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/HrmImGNvlw
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 2, 2025

According to Fireballs coach Dr. Elsje Jordaan, "We're growing as a unit, and I think we're gaining a little bit of composure. We've secured the two points, which is what we needed. We're becoming more consistent, and our centre players had a good game."

The Jaguars' coach, Rozanne Matthyse, reflected on her team's performance, saying, "We showed glimpses of our potential, particularly in the third quarter, but unfortunately, it came too late. We tried to play outside and risked too many balls and then faced double blocks. We'll regroup, fix our issues, and come back stronger."

THUKUDU STUN TORNADOS

In an electrifying Division 2 encounter, Tshukudu pulled off a stunning upset against top-of-the-log Tornados.

Tshukudu's dominance in intercepts and effective defensive strategy were key factors in their win.

Goal shooter Anri Liebenberg's 92 per cent shooting accuracy was also instrumental in their success.

Tornados coach Lucy Twani reflected on her troops' performance, "Today didn't go the way we had planned, but I think it was a good game. We lost concentration in the final quarter, and that's where we lost it."

The Tshukudu coach, Vivian Foko added, "I'm thrilled with the win. Our bench support was incredible, and my players responded well when I told them to communicate better at the circle. It was a tough game, but we came out on top."

FLAMES SCORCH BABY PROTEAS

The North West Flames delivered an impressive performance, securing a 10-goal win over the SPAR Baby Proteas (it was the under-21’s last match for Power Week 1).

Both teams were looking to bounce back from previous defeats, but the Flames dominated from the start.

The Flames took an early lead, winning the first quarter 8-13 and extending their advantage in the second quarter, 19-24.

They continued to pull away in the third quarter, 29-38 and maintained their lead to the end.

The North West Flames turn up the heat to test the SA U21s. 🔥 A strong performance sees the Flames take the win, as the #SPARBabyProteas gain more valuable prep on their #RoadToGibraltar. 🇿🇦💪#TNLSAU21Flames #TelkomNL #TNLisBack #TelkomStandTall @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/RUENlV9lS3
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 2, 2025

After the match, SPAR Baby Protea’s coach Precious Mthembu reflected, "Not the results we would have hoped for, but I think the girls played well overall. We lost a lot of centre passes and turned the ball over, which cost us. We didn't convert our chances, but I'm proud of how they've grown. We need to work on understanding the crucial moments where we can catch up."

Flames coach Elsunet du Plessis praised her team's performance, saying, "I'm thrilled with the win, and I can see the smiles on the girls' faces. In the second half, there was a moment where we were dipping a bit, but I reminded them to stick to the plan and play for each other. The Under-21s played well, especially defensively. For us, it's about playing as a team, taking care of the ball, maintaining possession, and converting our chances into goals."

The Flames will be looking to continue their winning streak in their next match.

SUNBIRDS PREVAIL IN NAILBITER

The Sunbirds edged out the KD Stars 41-39 in a nail-biting finale to Division B action.

After a slow start, the Sunbirds staged a remarkable turnaround in the second quarter, which proved pivotal.

A tactical switch saw Atacia Mbuyane move into a more attacking role, forming a potent partnership with Sylvia Lebelo and feeding her precision passes into the shooting circle.

The Sunbirds' defence was rock-solid, forcing five crucial turnovers in the shooting circle.

The match was intensely contested, with the KD Stars dominating the first quarter 13-7.

However, the Sunbirds fought back to level the score at halftime, 20-20.

The second half saw both teams give their all, with the Sunbirds taking a narrow lead into the final quarter, 30-28. Ultimately, the Sunbirds' composure and discipline paid off, as they conceded fewer penalties and capitalised on their opportunities to secure the win.

It was 20-all at halftime, but the Sunbirds soared in the second half to take the win in a tightly balanced battle with the Kingdom Stars. 🌟🔥#TNLSunbirdsStars #TelkomNL #TNLisBack #TelkomStandTall @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/6RWC5KfGmk
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 2, 2025

The Telkom Netball League is heating up, with exciting matches and impressive team performances.

You can catch the action live on SuperSport Variety 4 channel 209 or check out the Netball South Africa website for fixtures and updates.

Tickets are available on the Netball South Africa (NSA) website at just R100.

FULL DAY RESULTS:

Sonoblomo 47-51 Diamonds

Lillies 44-52 KD Queens

Aloes 47-48 Baobabs

Tornados 50-53 Tshukudu

SPAR Baby Proteas 41-51 Flames

Sunbirds 41-39 KD Stars

Jaguars 43-50 Fireballs

FIXTURES
SATURDAY 3 MAY 2025: