With the playoffs looming, round 6 of Varsity Netball 2025 at the Wits Sports Hall in Johannesburg delivered a handful of tightly contested matches.
NWU battled past Wits in front of their home crowd while UJ nearly got upstaged by UP-Tuks.
Defending champions UFS Kovsies held on to beat Madibaz and Maties proved too much for Varsity College.
WITS 49 – 59 NWU
NWU managed to hold of Wits in a fiercely contested match and stay on track for a place in the semifinals of this year’s competition.
The first quarter delivered intense play, with both teams going neck and neck from the start.
The Eagles had to work hard against a relentless Wits defence with the Johannesburg based team not giving an inch. At the first break in play, the visitors were leading 12-14.
The second quarter saw more of the same with Wits begin cheered on by a boisterous home crowd.
They fought hard to edge closer to their opponents and to close the gap on the scoreboard. NWU however managed to hang on for a 24-27 lead at halftime.
Wits used the Suzuki powerplay in the next 15 minutes to great effect in their efforts to snatch the lead from NWU.
Brilliant play by the Eagles snuffed these chances and when the whistle went, the scoreboard read 41-43 for the visitors.
In the final 15 minutes, which was a bumpy affair, NWU put the foot down and denied Wits scoring opportunities at critical times. They starting stretching their lead to eventually secure an important 49-59 victory.
Quarter scores: 12-14 | 24-27 | 41-43 | 49-59
Player of the match: Christi-Mari Coetzee (NWU)
Wits: Alix Horn, Amber Marshall, Amy Horn, Mikhe van der Watt, Nomhle Hope Sibiya, Oratile Mokone, Philasande Ntuli, Shani Mokken, Zanele Soviya, Phozisa Ramncwana.
NWU: Sunel Smit, Jaime Matfield, Andrya Joubert, Jessica Matjiu, Johanné Meyer, Amori Matthee, Christi-Mari Coetzee, Vivian Venancio, Jade Egwatu, Liane van Lochem, Casey Davids, Johanne Meyer.
UJ 45 – 38 UP-TUKS
UJ clinched a hard-fought victory over UP-Tuks to maintain their No 1 position on the log and take one step closer to that elusive first Varsity Netball title.
In a closely contested match, the Orange Army managed to stay one step ahead in the first quarter.
Despite Tuks’ attempts to remain on attack at all times, UJ gained the upper hand, with the first 15 minutes ending 12-7 in their favour.
The Pretoria team came out strong in the second quarter, displaying a high tempo and a fighting spirit.
They tightly defended and scored goals in quick succession to narrow the gap.
UJ on the other hand swiftly rectified mistakes and intercepted key balls in the mid-court. Tuks managed to close the gap to just a three-point lead for the log leaders, 20-17.
In the third quarter, the Orange Army was stunned by the brilliant interceptions of their opponents.
It disrupted their momentum and somewhat limited their scoring opportunities. Despite Tuks scoring two vital goals in the Suzuki powerplay, UJ closed out the quarter in the lead, 33-27.
Tuks came out all guns blazing in the last 15 minutes with two successive goals in an attempt to deliver a shock result. Stubborn UJ however refused to back down and fought hard to maintain their lead and ultimately seal the 45-38 win.
Quarter scores: 12-7 | 20-17 | 33-27 | 45-38
Player of the match: Jamie Williamson (UP-Tuks)
UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Juanika Steinmann, Kubura Abubakar, Minette Erasmus, Luyanda Msomi, Yanke Broodryk, Kamogelo Motsepe, Cornelia Mupenda, Sli Ngcobo, Tassnique Norman, Jade Niemand, Kaneilwe Seopa.
UP-Tuks: Georgia de Jongh, Megan Holland, Juané Kruger, Devoné Lansberg, Thando Ngcobo, Caroline Paul, Anja van den Heever, Venece van Vollenhoven, Marichelle Visagie, Jamie Williamson, Lebo Moremme, Ilani Klopper.
UFS KOVSIES 69 – 55 MADIBAZ
UFS Kovsies overcame a haltering start to claim a commanding victory over Madibaz, setting their sights on a successful title defence.
The match began with high intensity with both teams displaying determination and a strong intent to win.
Madibaz, who at the beginning of the season scored an upset win over former champions NWU, established a three-goal lead in the opening five minutes.
Kovsies then turned the tables and went to the first break 16-11 ahead.
Coming back to battle for the second quarter, Madibaz once again attempted to find their rhythm. T
he defending champions’ aggressive defence and sharp interceptions however proved too much as they snatched up loose balls from their opponents. They stretched their lead to 38-21 at the halftime break.
In the third quarter the Eastern Cape side continued to play catch-up as Kovsies didn't give them any pace.
The champions kept on dominating, gaining possession in the attacking phases and the scoreboard told the story at the end of the period of play, 53-36.
The last 15 minutes of the match showed a determined Madibaz, intent on narrowing the gap.
Kovsies however snuffed any chances of another upset and made sure of a comprehensive 69-55 victory.
Quarter scores: 16-11 | 38-21 | 53-36 | 69-55
Player of the match: Reratilwe Letsoalo (UFS Kovsies)
UFS Kovsies: Liame de Lange, Reratilwe Letsoalo, Elene Vosloo, Xandri Fourie, Charne van Vuuren, Chanique Eyberg, Mari du Raan, Thando Mokoena, Leane Otto, Megan Erasmus, Syamthandanda Sambo, Mienke Delport.
Madibaz: Anke Britz, Kaylin Coetzer, Hanniska van Vuuren, Simone Louw, Keagile Magadla, Luyanda Tsotetsi, Mbali Gunyazile, Edon Snyman, Kelly du Toit, Inge van Eyk, Bronwyn Goosen, Sibongokuhle Mnqayi.
MATIES 61 – 28 VARSITY COLLEGE
After just having their noses in front in the first half of the match, Maties eventually hammered newcomers Varsity College in the last match of round 6.
The Maroon Machine had to be content with a determined Varsity College in the first 15 minutes.
The newcomers threw everything at their opponents and went into the break only three-goals behind their more fancied opponents, 14-11.
In the second quarter Varsity College continued to exploit the open spaces in midcourt in their efforts to level the score.
They stayed focused and composed but Maties increased their offensive intensity and led 22-19 at halftime.
The Maroon Machine threw down the gauntlet in the third quarter with high pressure and fantastic interceptions.
It was a tough time for Varsity College and the gap on the scoreboard grew to 44-26.
The strong defensive strategy of Maties proved to be decisive in the last 15 minutes, securing them a significant 61-28 victory.
Quarter scores: 14-11 | 22-19 | 44-24 | 61-28
Player of the match: Thabisa Yekani (Maties)
Maties: Hannah Kriel, Michelle van der Merwe, Lara Ehlers, Lize Rossouw, Syntiche Kabuya, Juane Maass, Thabisa Yekani, Bianca Odendaal, Chloe Parsadh, Kristine McGregor, Lara Steenkamp, Anke Stoffberg.
Varsity College: Adri Kannemeyer, Robyn Hathaway, Andrea Van der Merwe, Casey Weber, Sara Feintuch, Olukemi Amarachi Akuma Agbai, Elzaan Smith, Allison Nola Beck, Sikanyiso Mtshwepe, Stacey-Lee Feris, Caitlin Rose Cunningham, Isabella De Vincenzo.