UJ clinch tight battle against Kovsies while Tuks, Maties and NWU win big

It took until the last quarter for UJ to clinch victory over UFS Kovsies in a tightly contested affair during round 3 of the 2024 Varsity Netball tournament at the Madibaz Sports Centre in Gqeberha. Defending champions UP Tuks weren’t bothered too much by the home team Madibaz while Maties were solid in their victory over Wits. It was one-way traffic as NWU ran out winners over TUT.

UJ 51 – 46 UFS KOVSIES

Exhilarating hardly begins to describe the matchup between UJ and UFS Kovsies with the Orange Army eventually coming out on top.

At no point was the result certain, and with both powerplays taken in the final quarter it was high-octane netball every step of the way.

For UJ, towering goalshooter Muhluri Hlatshwayo buried just about everything, but Kovsies goal attack Xandri Fourie was also outstanding in front of goal as well as out wide to create space for her team.

Both defensive units were sublime on the day. Wave after wave of attack were thwarted at either end of the court, resulting in momentum shifts almost every play.

UJ goalkeeper Cornelia Mupenda had an absolute blinder, particularly in the dying minutes of the game. Centre Sanelisiwe Ntobela’s calmness amid the beautiful chaos was hugely influential, and many would agree it was her cool head that got her side over the line.

Both sides put on a show that will be remembered by everyone at the Madibaz Sports Centre with the Orange Army walking winning the close encounter 51-46. Kovsies earned a bonus point for losing by less than seven goals.

UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Aphiwe Thusini, Boitumelo Mehloko, Cornelia Mupenda, Gugulethu Mdladla, Henlize Basson, Jade Niemand, Kamogelo Motsepe, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Tarle Mathe.

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.

Quarter Scores: 14-9 | 25-18 | 38-28 | 51-46

FNB Player of the Match: Sanelisiwe Ntobelo (UJ)

UP TUKS 81 – 47 MADIBAZ

With their vocal home crowd firmly behind them, Madibaz put in a spirited performance against UP Tuks but in the end the defending champions proved more than a handful.

The Pretoria ladies have become known as a powerhouse side for good reason though, and their strength and speed were increasingly apparent as the game went on. Goalshooter Tinita van Wyk showed her class and goal attack Kamogelo Maseko proved inspirational as her sharp handling and anticipation came to the fore.

Madibaz were by no means disgraced, however, with goal shooter Kaylin Coetzer continuing her good form in the competition. The team’s defence also put in a great shift against their bigger opponents, with Siyamthanda Dingiswayo, Tashlyn van Schoor and Kelly du Toit not giving an inch and making some great interceptions.

However, it was clear that Tuks were never going to give up their healthy lead and every time Coetzer found the net they hit back immediately. Their pace proved a huge factor in the match, and one suspects Madibaz won’t be the only team in the competition who will find themselves back-peddling to keep up.

With a winning score of 81-47, it’s fair to say the defending champions are serious about taking home a fifth title this year.

Quarter Scores: 17-9 | 40-21 | 65-35 | 81-47

FNB Player of the Match: Tinita van Wyk

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.

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.

MATIES 68 – 42 WITS

Maties against Wits was always going to be a physical affair, especially after the Johannesburg students gave UP Tuks a run for their money last week. In this instance, the Maroon Machine prevailed.

One need only ask Maties wing-attack Shanidine Bezuidenhout, the shortest player on the court, about the physicality of the encounter. Twice in the third quarter, she found herself on the wrong end of seriously hard knocks – one sending her flying – but as a mark of her character she was soon back on her feet.

It was a thorough performance by the ladies from the Cape and, while Wits delivered some memorable moments on attack, after halftime there really was only one team in it.

Maties goalkeeper Syntiche Kabuya had a superb game at the back, nullifying any chance of Wits getting back into the match. Adriana Carstens also proved invaluable on centre, giving her team the flow that had not been as apparent in the first two quarters.

Wits will take a lot of heart from the fact that they never allowed Maties to get too far ahead despite the 2022 champions claiming a 68-42 victory. They are blessed with an ability to draw on their reserves and even though the result didn’t go their way on this occasion, their technical team will be pleased with their fitness levels.

Quarter Scores: 19-13 | 34-24 | 50-32 | 68-42

FNB Player of the Match: Shanidine Bezuidenhout (Maties)

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.

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.

NWU 75 – 17 TUT

In the last match of the day, NWU imposed their physicality on TUT to hand their opponents their third heavy defeat of this year’s tournament.

Eagles goalshooter Sunel Smit has been on song every game this year and continued her fine form in this clash. While her height is an obvious advantage, she also oozes composure in the circle.

Wing-attack Nicola Oosthuizen was massive in shutting down the opposition and giving her side plenty of movement down the court.

The team from Potchefstroom have always been magnificent to watch when their passing game is at its best and certainly, the Gqeberha crowd were treated to a masterclass in the second stanza.