Rolene Streutker ended her Varsity Netball career on a high when defending champions UFS Kovsies beat NWU in round 5 of the 2025 tournament at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria. UJ continued their unbeaten run brushing aside Madibaz while Maties pushed their way into the top four with a win over UP-Tuks. Wits outclassed newcomers Varsity College.
NWU 59 - 83 UFS KOVSIES
UFS Kovsies secured their fourth win of this year’s tournament with a overwhelming victory over NWU.
The defending champions from the Free State and the former champions from Potchefstroom went toe-to-toe in the first quarter as the clash initially lived up to expectations. The experience of Burta de Kock’s side however proved too much with Kovsies leading 13-18.
Another one! Congrats to Rolene Streutker who collects the FNB Player Of the Match award and cheque powered by FNB eWallet for yet another outstanding @KovsieNetball performance. #iLOVEit pic.twitter.com/bRMqLSZIAC
— Varsity Netball (@VarsityNetball) September 8, 2025
In the second quarter they stretched their lead further. In her last Varsity Netball match, goal shooter Rolene Streutker made full use of the powerplay, adding eight goals to her team’s tally. The Bloemfontein side produced quick attack play and grabbed a comfortable lead at the break, 29-42.
Returning to court with a mountain to climb, NWU managed to intensify their defence but still found it difficult to catch up with the score. Kovsies handled the pressure well and ended the third quarter still with the edge, 49-60.
It was one-way traffic in the last 15 minutes with Eagles shooter Jade Egwatu struggling to convert her chances in the dying minute. Kovsies took home an important 59-83 victory.
Quarter scores: 13-18 | 29-42 | 49-60 | 59-83
Player of the match: Rolene Streutker (UFS Kovsies)
NWU: Sunel Smit, Jaime Matfield, Andrya Joubert, Jessica Matjiu, Johanné Meyer, Amori Matthee, Christi-Mari Coetzee, Vivian Venancio, Jade Ekwatu, Liane van Lochem, Casey Davids, Johanne Meyer.
UFS Kovsies: Liame de Lange, Reratilwe Letsoalo, Elene Vosloo, Xandri Fourie, Rolene Streutker, Charne van Vuuren, Chanique Eyberg, Mari du Raan, Thando Mokoena, Leane Otto, Megan Erasmus, Syamthandanda Sambo.
WITS 87 - 21 VARSITY COLLEGE
Wits hammered Varsity College, handing the newcomers yet another heavy defeat.
The Johannesburg based side displayed a commanding performance in the first quarter. The Comets struggled to put out the Wits fire but it was in vain as the scoreboard read 18-2 at the end of the first period of play.
Varsity College head coach Janine du Toit tried to switch things up with several changes, moving Allison Beck to centre. It proved fruitless as Wits went to the halftime break 38-9 in front.
In the third quarter it was the Oratile Mokone show as she anchored the Wits attack. With her player of the match display, she fed shooter Amber Marshall who was clinical in the circle. When the hooter went, the gap had widened to 67-12 in Wits’ favour.
Varsity College scored the most goals in the fourth quarter but it paled in comparison to Wits who raced to the finish for a 87-21 victory.
Quarter scores: 18-2 | 38-9 | 67-12 | 87-21
Player of the match: Oratile Mokone (Wits)
Wits: Alix Horn, Amber Marshall, Ametisse Bandu, Giada Prinsloo, Luane Smith, Mikhe van der Watt, Nomhle Hope Sibiya, Oratile Mokone, Philasande Ntuli, Shani Mokken, Zanele Soviya, Phozisa Ramncwana.
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, Kaitlin Barnard.
MADIBAZ 40 - 57 UJ
UJ maintained their winning streak on their quest for a maiden Varsity Netball title with a well-earned victory over initial frontrunners Madibaz.
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥
— UJ Sport (@UJ_Sport) September 8, 2025
Women’s Varsity Netball | Full Time
The Orange Army finish strong! UJ take the win 57–40 over NMU with skill, composure, and relentless energy. 🔥🧡#OrangeArmy #UJAllTheWay #UniversityofJohannesburg #UJNetball #VarsityNetball #ILoveIt pic.twitter.com/mZ23QYmbWS
It was a courageous opening 15 minutes for Madibaz as they limited the Orange Army’s lethal attack. It was neck and neck as each team looked to establish dominance. Two vital steals from the Eastern Cape’s Inge van Eyek levelled the scores until UJ took advantage of the powerplay to lead 10-13 at the first break.
In the second quarter, UJ remained calm as their opponents piled on the pressure. They took their three goal cushion into halftime, 18-21.
After the break, UJ came out all guns blazing with Kubura Abubakar leading the charge and the Johannesburg team stretched their lead to 30-39.
Madibaz found it difficult to remain in touch on the score sheet in the last quarter. The Orange Army remained on song and send out a strong statement with a 40-57 win.
Quarter scores: 10-13 | 18-21 | 30-39 | 40-57
Player of the match: Tarle Mathe (UJ)
Madibaz: Anke Britz, Kaylin Coetzer, Juanita van Tonder, Hanniska van Vuuren, Simone Louw, Keagile Magadla, Luyanda Tsotetsi, Mbali Gunyazile, Edon Snyman, Kelly du Toit, Samuelinah Ndizana, Inge van Eyk.
UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Juanika Steinmann, Sesandile Ngubane, Kubura Abubakar, Tarle Mathe, Minette Erasmus, Luyanda Msomi, Yanke Broodryk, Kamogelo Motsepe, Cornelia Mupenda, Sli Ngcobo, Tassnique Norman.
UP-TUKS 36 - 47 MATIES
Maties staged a fantastic come-back to grab a convincing eleven goal victory over arch rival UP-Tuks. The Pretoria side was hoping for a victory in front of their home crowd, but it was not to be.
FULL TIME and the Maroon Machine topple their arch rivals from the north in an intense encounter. Clinical in the shooting circle for Maties and too many errors from the hosts.
— Varsity Netball (@VarsityNetball) September 8, 2025
Tuks 36-47 Maties#iLOVEit
Brought to you by FNB and Suzuki. pic.twitter.com/PGPjdCWnuX
The Stripe Generation took off in the highest gear, spurred on by an enthusiastic crowd in the Rembrandt Hall. This enabled them to close out the first quarter 12-11.
Maties stuck to their game plan and returned stronger after the break. Their opponents could not convert their opportunities in the shooting circle and this allowed the Maroon Machine to establish their dominance. The visitors went into halftime with the scoreboard 19-24 in their favour.
Maties continued to build on their lead in the third quarter with clean feeds to Michelle Van der Merwe who showed no mercy in the goal circle. Tuks had an opportunity to reduce the deficit with a couple of turnover balls but it was not to be, with the period of play ending in Maties’ favour, 29-36.
Syntiche Kabuya’s defence display proved to be decisive in the final 15 minutes with Maties
using all their opportunities to seal the victory, 36-47.
Quarter scores: 12-11 | 19-24 | 29-36 | 36-47
Player of the match: Lara Ehlers (Maties)
UP-Tuks: Georgia de Jongh, Zionné Grobler, Megan Holland, Elri Jacobs, Juané Kruger, Devoné Lansberg, Thando Ngcobo, Caroline Paul, Anja van den Heever, Venece van Vollenhoven, Marichelle Visagie, Jamie Williamson.
Maties: Hannah Kriel, Michelle van der Merwe, Hannah Olivier, Lara Ehlers, Lize Rossouw, Syntiche Kabuya, Juane Maass, Thabisa Yekani, Bianca Odendaal, Chloe Parsadh, Kristine McGregor, Lara Steenkamp.