The unbeaten Free State Crinums were crowned Telkom Netball League Division 1 champions after a convincing 46-32 victory over the Golden Fireballs in Pretoria on Monday night.
With everything on the line in a repeat of last year’s Division 1 final, the Crinums came out tops to secure their fifth championship in style.
The Free State Crinums are the 2026 Telkom Netball League Division 1 Champions 🏆
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 15, 2026
The Crinums went unbeaten the whole season 🥇🏐#SSNetball #TNL2026 pic.twitter.com/73g1ISBhuR
The Crinums entered the contest yet to taste defeat in this campaign, while Fireballs were determined to defend the crown they claimed a year ago, setting the stage for a thrilling battle between two of the competition’s standout sides.
The opening quarter lived up to expectations as both teams went toe-to-toe from the first centre pass, deadlocked at 3-all after the opening two minutes, and were clinical in converting their own centre passes.
Fireballs' Goal Attack Owethu Ngubane gifted the Crinums an opportunity after an errant pass found Wing Attack Karla Victor, but the defending champions were quickly let off the hook when a 'held ball' call handed possession straight back.
Crinums Goalkeeper Liame De Lange produced an important intercept with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter, only for Fireballs Goalkeeper Tinita Van Dyk to respond with a turnover of her own after capitalising on a loose ball.
The defensive battle continued until the end of the quarter, as the score was locked at 11-11.
The tension escalated in the second quarter as the match started to become increasingly physical.
Fireball's Wing Defense Tarle Mathe produced a crucial turnover and, eager to restart play quickly, snatched the ball from Crinums Wing Defense Sizeka Adoons to take the penalty.
However, her eagerness proved costly as she was penalised for contact. The Crinums capitalised on mounting pressure, extending their lead to three goals.
Both Keepers, De Lange and Van Dyk pulled through for their sides exchanging intercepts, but Crinums Shooter Bianca Lubbe added two single shots to help the side extend the lead to five goals at halftime.
The Fireballs started feeling the Crinums’ heat by losing a couple of balls in their goal third through unforced errors and missing under the post, which allowed the Crinums to go seven goals up midway through the quarter.
Fireball's shooting duo of Mazibuko and Ngubane started struggling to maintain their rhythm in the circle as the relentless pressure from the Crinums' defense forced rushed decisions and uncharacteristic misses.
The low scoring nature of the quarter reflected the defensive dominance, with Fireballs managing one goal in 11 minutes, while Crinums only added three to their tally as the Free state team extended their lead by ten goals ahead of the last quarter.
Fireballs’ coach Dr Elsje Jordaan made changes to the shooting circle, moving Van Dyk from Keeper to Goal Shooter, while Mazibuko replaced Ngubane on Goal Attack.
The changes yielded some positive results, as the Fireballs began to regain their confidence in an attempt to reduce the deficit.
However, the Crinums left no stones unturned until the final whistle, securing a 46-32 victory and finishing their campaign unbeaten after 14 matches to claim their fifth title.
CHAMPIONS 🏆
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 15, 2026
The Free State Crinums are Telkom Netball League Division 1 Champions for the fifth time 👏#SSNetball #TNL2026 pic.twitter.com/Fu0tcYKaFx
‘’This is one of the most brilliant performances that the Crinums have put up since the beginning of TNL, I’m so proud of these girls. They were unshaken, going out there and being untouchable, knowing exactly what was needed and playing beautiful netball even during the final. They put in the work, and I would like to thank the two captains for keeping them calm even when we were doing well in the first and second leg. The team definitely understood the mandate’’, Crinums coach Martha Mosoahle added after the game.
KINGDOM STARS STAY IN TOP DIVISION
The battle for Division one status in the promotion/relegation match also got the crowd on their feet.
Fresh off being crowned Division two champions after edging the Queens by a solitary goal last night, the Tornados faced the ultimate test against the Kingdom Stars, who finished at the bottom of the Division one log after winning one out of the 12 matches played during the round robin stages.
The match was a battle of attrition from the first centre pass, producing multiple turnovers before the Stars scored the first goal two minutes into the encounter.
The Stars, however, relied on their big match temperament to settle quicker, taking a 12-8 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
The Tornados refused to back down in the second quarter, matching the Stars intensity with determination. It became a goal-for-goal affair as defensive pressure remained at the heart of the contest.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with both teams locked in a tactical battle where every possession mattered.
The Stars held a narrow five-goal lead at the end of the third quarter although the quarter score ended 10-10, and it was clear that discipline, composure, and clinical finishing would determine the outcome in the final 15 minutes.
When the pressure peaked in the final quarter, the Stars showcased their experience and composure by executing shrewd defense to shut down the Tornados' desperate push.
Their ability to step up when it mattered the most saw them secure a hard-fought 42-38 victory, preserving their division one status.
⚔️ A fight to the final whistle. ⭐ The Kingdom Stars stay in Division 1.#TNLStarsTornados @TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/j1nwVvXmsf
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) June 15, 2026
The South African Men’s national team also played against Eswatini men in an entertaining friendly and coach Shiko Mokaila’s troops impressed and defeated Eswatini 53-43, with Centre Kwandile Sithole being named the Player of the match.
DIVISION ONE INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES:
Best Shooter: Bianca Lubbe (Crinums)
Best Mid-court player: Refiloe Nketsa (Crinums)
Best Defender: Karla Pretorius (Crinums)
Player of the tournament: Nonsikelelo Mazibuko (Fireballs)
FINAL STANDINGS:
1.Crinums
2. Fireballs
3. Stings
4. Jaguars
5. Flames
6. Aloes
7. Kingdom Stars