The 2024 Telkom Netball League (TNL) champions, the Free State Crinums, are in cruise control after the opening round of the competition.
The Martha Mosoahle-Samm-led side wrapped up Power Week One without a loss and sit comfortably at the top of Division One table with six wins out of six.
The 12th edition of the premier semi-professional competition held the opening round at KwaZulu-Natal’s Durban University of Technology, the second round set for the Ellis Park Arena from 22 to 31 May.
The Heartfelt Arena will host the final week of the tournament from 12 to 15 June.
The Crinums have been champions four times and they are searching for a fifth title after falling short at last year’s final.
Mosoahle-Samm says she is pleased with her side’s showing in the first leg.
“It was amazing for the Crinums. I think it was a great campaign for us. It is over now, we need to go back and do a lot of analysis and see where we can improve,” says Mosoahle-Samm.
The team is boosted by the return of experienced Karla Pretorius from her year-long netball hiatus. The coach says the veteran has quite an impact on the squad.
“it’s amazing what an impact Karla has in the team. The Crinums team look up to her. She is such an amazing leader, role model and she knows exactly what she wants. I think it’s a blessing for us to have her,” she says.
Siyamthanda Sambo and Natasha Watson are new to the TNL and Mosoahle-Samm believes they are settling in well into the team.
“I think they are settling in well. They know that it takes everything to wear the Crinums badge. We are a team that always embraces the youth and we are proud to have them in the team. I would like to see them gel very well in the team and accepting that they are part of the Crinums, to raise their hands to be able to take the starting seven,” she says.
📈 𝐋𝐎𝐆 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟏 // 𝟐𝟒 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 - 𝟐 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 3, 2026
As it stands after the first leg 🚀
📆 Up Next: Power Week 2 🏟️ Ellis Park Arena, 22–31 May 2026
🎟️ Tickets available online 👉 https://t.co/hNhOOgSVsU#TelkomStandTall #TNL2026 #TelkomNL@TelkomZA pic.twitter.com/U6usRyU98Y
FIREBALLS LACKING HEAT
Meanwhile the defending champions the Gauteng Golden Fireballs ended the week with positive results after having a tough start to the season.
The two time champions limped throughout the week and managed to win three matches from the six they played.
Taking the Western Cape Southern Stings’ scalp on Friday night will give the team some confidence leading up to Power Week Two.
Fireballs coach, Dr. Elsje Jordaan, had lamented the absence of some of her experienced players. Defenders Cornelia Mupenda and Jeanté Strydom will only be available in the second Power Week.
The duo is currently competing in the Malaysian Netball Super League which concludes on 17 May.
Last season’s Best Shooter, Owethu Ngubane got snatch by UK’s Birmingham Panthers for the remainder of the Netball Super League season.
Jordaan admits that the opening week of the competition has been tough but she believes her team will do better in the second round in front of their home crowd.
“It’s been really tough. We always knew that it would be tough missing three players but we are going back home to work hard, we are going to come back stronger. We won’t stop until we get it right,” she says.
TOUGH START FOR KINGDOM STARS
Newly promoted KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars had a tough first round of the competition.
The Nompumelelo Mthembu-led side is seated at the bottom of the Division One table after not being able to record a single win in front of their home crowd.
Although Stars showed some moments of brilliance, especially in defence, they were unable to keep up with the standard of the top tier. Mthembu will have to make some adjustments to her game for her to steer the team clear of relegation.
TORNADOS ON TOP IN DIVISION 2
Meanwhile Division Two has seen some competitive netball over the week.
The Western Cape Tornados are the toast of the province after putting up some impressive netball. They lead the table with seven straight wins after the first round of the competition.
They are followed by the KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Queens who registered five victories from seven matches and lost only one game.
Queens’ goal shooter, Aphiwe Thusini’s composure in the circle has been critical for the team’s performance in the opening round.
The Eastern Cape Comets struggled in the opening round. They ended the week having only recorded one victory from eight and are at the bottom of the log in Division Two.
Prisca Kanetsi will have to relook her strategy to help her team improve in the second round.
📋 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟏
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 2, 2026
From first whistle to final score 💥
📆 Up Next: Power Week 2 🏟️ Ellis Park Arena, 22–31 May 2026
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