Two-time defending champions, Johannesburg suffered their first loss of the SPAR National Netball Championships on Tuesday, going down 50-47 to last year’s runners-up Mangaung.
The home side kicked off the tournament, which is being hosted by the City of Johannesburg, with two victories on Monday but then stumbled against the side they beat in the final to win their second consecutive title last year.
Johannesburg struggled from the start and while they came back stronger towards the end of the match, there was no preventing the 17-goal loss.
Mangaung had mixed results on the opening day, winning one and losing one of their matches, but their victory over Johannesburg on day two was a significant one, according to coach and former SPAR Proteas captain Martha Mosoahle-Samm.
“It was extremely important for us,” she said after the match. “Especially after losing to Cape Winelands yesterday… Coming in and winning that big match for us was very necessary and I think it was really a confidence booster.”
Manguang went on to also beat Nelson Mandela Bay 50-42 and the SA under-21 side 53-42 on Tuesday.
Speaking about the prospect of taking the title this year after coming so close in 2023, Mosoahle-Samm added: “I am 100 per cent confident, especially after this morning’s performance. Every coach comes in confident but it’s going to be tough. The girls are expecting it, we’re ready for the toughness… I think we showed this morning how badly we want it.”
JOHANNESBURG BOUNCE BACK
Johannesburg bounced back from their loss to beat Ekurhuleni 63-32 and then inflicted a first defeat on Cape Town, beating them 58-42 in the final match of the day, meaning no A section teams remained unbeaten after the second day of the tournament.
“This game was very important to us because we had to first of all redeem ourselves from the first game and reward ourselves a little bit for all the hard work that we’re doing,” said Johannesburg captain Didintle Keebine afterwards.
“I feel like with this game we really fought back and that’s definitely the spirit we know we have and that we need throughout the tournament.”
In other results, Cape Winelands also suffered their first loss of the competition, going down 41-39 to Dr Kenneth Kaunda, who won all three of their games on Tuesday, while Ekurhuleni are still in search of their first victory after losing all three of theirs.
It turned into a day to forget for defending champions as the 2023 Under-21 winners, Tshwane, were also handed their first loss, beaten 33-35 by Johannesburg.
A PROUD MOMENT FOR INCLUSION
Meanwhile, in celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, four deaf netball teams took to the court in their own mini tournament which has been included in the SPAR National Netball Championships for the first time.
📣 Historic Moment! 🌟
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) December 3, 2024
Deaf Netball SA teams compete at the SPAR National Champs for the first time! 🏐💪
On #IDPD2024, we celebrate their strength, resilience, and barrier-breaking spirit. ❤️#SPARNationalChamps #DeafNetballSA #WeAreAllIn pic.twitter.com/AoH0tcqxur
The only difference with the other matches being played is that the umpires use bright flags to attract the players’ attention, rather than whistles.
Speaking after the matches, President of Deaf Netball South Africa Patricia Kgamane said: “This is very important for us as Deaf Netball South Africa… When you look back in history, this has never happened so this is a great opportunity and it’s got a lot of benefits, to motivate and inspire many athletes who will want to become part of this. We want to thank Netball South Africa for integrating disability sport. This is what we call inclusion.”
Netball SA CEO Modiegi Komane and Deaf Netball SA President Patricia Kgamane celebrate the inclusion of Deaf Netball SA teams at the 2024 SPAR National Champs. A proud moment for growth, inclusion, and opportunity in netball! 🏐💪#SPARNationalChamps #DeafNetballSA #WeAreAllIn pic.twitter.com/SQBdPKroMV
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) December 3, 2024
SENIOR A SECTION RESULTS – DAY 2
Nelson Mandela Bay 45 – 51 Cape Town
eThekwini 34 - 33 Ekurhuleni
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 41 – 39 Cape Winelands
Mangaung 50 – 47 Johannesburg
Tshwane 45 – 45 Nelson Mandela Bay
Cape Town 69 – 46 eThekwini
Tshwane 53 – 59 Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Cape Winelands 53 – 37 SA U21
Johannesburg 63 – 32 Ekurhuleni
Mangaung 50 – 42 Nelson Mandela Bay
Cape Winelands 62 – 44 Tshwane
eThekwini 34 – 53 Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Cape Town 58 – 42 Johannesburg
Ekurhuleni 33 – 61 SA U21
Mangaung 53-42 SA U21
© Neball SA