The Western Cape Southern Stings will be the team to look out for this season as they look to overcome their bridesmaid label.
The Stings have played in three finals of the Telkom Netball League (TNL), however, they are yet to take the title back to the Western Cape.
The 2026 edition, which will see 18 teams compete, will run from 24 April to 15 June and will take place in two provinces. The Malawi Under-21 and Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Eagles will also participate in the competition.
The opening week will see the Durban University of Technology host Power Week One from 24 April to 2 May while the Ellis Park Arena in Joburg will host the second Power Week from 22 to 31 May.
The Dr Freda Kemp-led side will begin their campaign with a clash against Division One newcomers, the KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars on 25 April in the first Power Week of the tournament. Stars were promoted to the elite section of the competition at the end of last season, after defeating Limpopo Baobabs in the promotion/ relegation match.
Although the Cape side have come close to winning the competition, only three teams have been crowned. Tshwane’s Gauteng Jaguars are the record title holders with six titles while the Crinums have been champions four times and the Fireballs have taken the gold medal twice.
'WE'VE GOT A WHOLE NEW CULTURE'
Stings goalkeeper, Entle Futshane, is confident that the team will turn things around this season and will finally be able to take off the bridesmaid sash. She says that the team’s attitude and outlook are completely different one from the past years.
“I think, in the past, we just had a lot of things that just wouldn't work out in the end. A lot of injuries that would happen, especially closer to the end of the competition. Stuff like that would have prevented us from actually getting there before and I think also we had to work on a lot of mindsets, to help us to get ready.
I think that's something that we've overcome now. We've got a whole new culture in the team, so it shouldn't be a problem this year. We are also quite conditioned so things like injuries should not be a problem, even though it’s something that we can't plan ahead for,” she said.
The lanky defender is comforted by the team being boosted by experienced players and staff. Former Spar Proteas defender and Baby Spar Proteas captain Phumza Maweni is part of the team in the assistant coach position.
Nicholé Breedt makes a return to the TNL this year, after spending two seasons at the United Kingdom’s Netball Super League where she played in the colours of London Pulse.
She was part of the Pulse side that won its first NSL Grand Final last year. Futshane says the experience in the team will go a long way in changing the team’s fortunes in the TNL.
DIFFERENT MINDSET
“Going into it this year the mindset is different. Everyone is on the same page about what we want and our goals. There is a lot of leadership going on as well, we have a lot of leadership groups that are leading from the front.
"We also have a lot of confidence in our coaching abilities as well, the likes of coach Phumza coming into the circle. We are strong in terms of our management and our leadership in the group. I think overall it translates and trickles down all the way into the group as well.
"We have got a lot of senior players in the shooting circle as well, so definitely the input of Nicholé in the team, for example, we also have Sian (Moore) I think it is going well in terms of bringing in the youngsters. They have taken them under their wings, guiding them through everything” she explained.
She said that the positive energy in the team should spur them throughout the competition.
“My hope for the team this season is I'd love to see us keep the energy that we've got currently. We can see it at training that everyone wants to go for it. Everyone is excited to be there and we are just all excited to see how far we can go.
"I don't know what it is about the season, but I just feel differently about it. I'm excited to see how we go through the competition, how we grow through the competition. I'm also excited to see the youngsters take to court at that level for the first time. I'm excited to see how they perform,” added Futshane.