The Crinums, Stings, Baobabs, Tornados and the Queens all came up trumps in their Telkom Netball League clashes on Saturday.
CRINUMS OUTCLASS FIREBALLS
Ellis Park Indoor Arena filled for a highly anticipated clash between the unbeaten Crinums and second placed Fireballs.
This was a repeat of last year’s final, and both teams were looking to strengthen their credentials ahead of the playoffs.
The Crinums made an immediate statement as Goalkeeper Liame De Lange picked up a loose ball from the Fireballs shooting circle, and after converting their own centre pass, to go two goals up but the Fireballs were quick to get onto the scoreboard through Goal Shooter Tinita Van Dyk.
Shortly after, Crinums Goal Defense Karla Pretorius got an intercept in the circle but that was quickly cancelled out by Fireballs Goalkeeper Amara Agbai.
Agbai’s effort was not rewarded following an overcooked feed which allowed the Crinums to lead 7-1 halfway into the quarter.
Defensive pressure remained a defining feature as the Fireballs struggled to find clean access into the circle. Fireballs' Goal Defense Cornelia Mupenda hustled an intercept and that helped cut the deficit to four goals.
The Crinums defensive unit continued to suffocate the Fireballs’ attack, with Centre Refiloe Nketsa adding another intercept as the Fireballs battled to progress the ball.
Crinums Goal Attack Xandri Fourie and Fireballs Goal Attack Nonsikelelo Mazibuko converted two-pointers for the sides, but the Crinums still held a comfortable 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Crinums picked up where they left off in the second quarter, with Nketsa producing another mid-court intercept.
Although that turnover was not converted, the Fireballs briefly found some momentum and reduced the gap to four goals.
However, their resurgence was short-lived as the shooting combination of Mazibuko and Van Dyk fumbled opportunities in the circle.
The mistakes were punished by Crinums, who capitalised ruthlessly to stretch the lead to eight goals.
Defensively, the Crinums continued to impose themselves across the court, forcing the Fireballs to rely on lengthy cross-court passes to get the ball in the circle.
Mupenda continued to produce valuable turnovers, but the Fireballs were still unable to convert the chances, allowing the Crinums to maintain control and head into the halftime break with a ten-goal advantage.
The Fireballs made an encouraging start to the third quarter, reducing the deficit to seven goals.
As the quarter progressed the battle became an intercept contest, with Goalkeeper Ametisse Bandu getting a turnover to keep the Fireballs within touching distance and her efforts helped reduce the margin to six goals midway through the quarter.
However, a series of unforced breaking infringements prevented the Fireballs from sustaining their momentum.
Matters became even more difficult with Bandu being penalised for repossession, allowing the Crinums to restore their ten-goal lead.
Mazibuko and Goal Attack Georgia Leppan battled to assert themselves in the shooting circle as the Fireballs’ conversion struggles continued.
Pretorius was influential at the back, winning the ball and throwing herself into two consecutive intercepts to help the Crinums extend the lead to twelve goals.
Mazibuko struck a two-pointer, but the Fireballs still had to overturn a 13-goal deficit heading into the final quarter.
The Fireballs came out with greater purpose in the fourth quarter and enjoyed their most productive spell in the encounter.
Despite trailing by11 goals, they took control of the early exchanges and were leading the quarter 6-4 halfway through, as their attacking combinations finally began to gel.
Mazibuko was consistent under the post and did well to convert most of the turnovers. The momentum shift caused several errors from the Crinums, who were suddenly guilty of misplaced passes in their goal third.
A defensive super shot period only saw the Crinums score a single shot as the Free State side recorded a 47-37 win, keeping their unbeaten record intact.
Fast. Fierce. Unrelenting. 🔥 The Crinums and Fireballs delivered another blockbuster, with the Crinums securing first place and the Fireballs finishing second ahead of the semi-finals. Full Time 47-37. TNL legend, Kala Pretorius earns POTM 🏅 pic.twitter.com/W4COEBkWMU
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 30, 2026
STINGS DOWN JAGUARS
Meanwhile, third-placed Southern Stings faced fourth-placed Jaguars and both teams came into this encounter with 14 points apiece.
The Stings made a brighter start despite both teams missing their opening attempts at goal.
Goal Shooter Sian Moore opened the scoring and, aided by a turnover from the Jaguars’ centre pass as well as a clean conversion from their own, helped the Stings take an early three-goal advantage.
The Jaguars only registered their first goal a minute and a half into the match.
Defensively, the Jaguars began to find their footing, forcing a held-ball call in the Stings’ shooting circle. However, Centre Amber Coraizin came up with a crucial pick up to deny the Jaguars an opportunity to level matters.
Although the Stings led by five goals midway through the quarter, the Jaguars applied sustained defensive pressure, forcing their opponents to recycle possession and play that extra pass.
Miscommunication in the Jaguars’ shooting circle, however, proved costly, allowing the Stings to stretch their lead to seven goals at the end of the first quarter.
The Jaguars started the second quarter with renewed defensive intensity, disrupting the Stings’ attacking rhythm and placing their shooters under significant pressure.
Moore, who had enjoyed success in the first quarter, was forced into a couple of misses as the Jaguars closed the gap from seven to four.
Later in the quarter, the Stings reclaimed momentum back in their favour as the Jaguars began to miss opportunities at the other end.
The Stings capitalised, with their Goalkeeper Entle Futshane producing a superb intercept to halt a promising attacking move and this also contributed to the eight-goal lead at halftime.
An injury to Stings Goal Defense Kelly Du Toit prompted a reshuffle, but the disruption did little to affect their control.
The Jaguars continued to work hard defensively and earned another held-ball turnover, yet their efforts were undermined by ball placement errors.
Miscommunication between the feeders and shooters, particularly Wing Attack Kyla Dames and Goal Shooter Jamie Williamson, made it increasingly difficult for the Jaguars to reduce the deficit as the Gauteng team entered the final quarter trailing by ten goals.
The Jaguars continued to fight in the last quarter as they searched for a way back into the match.
Defensively, they found answers through personnel changes, Kgomotso Maleho took over on Goal Defense and Luca Keun moved to Goalkeeper.
Additional intercepts created opportunities to reduce the gap for the Jaguars, but conversion remained their biggest obstacle.
Meanwhile, the Stings remained disciplined in protecting their lead and comfortably managed the closing stages to secure a 56-45 victory.
The Southern Stings complete the double over the Jaguars (Full Time 56-45) securing third place on the final round-robin standings ahead of the semi-finals. Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen (Stings) bags POTM number two after a standout performance at GD ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/v7RdHVl1pB
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 30, 2026
BAOBABS EDGE SUNBIRDS
In Division two - with a place in the semifinals on the line, the Limpopo Baobabs knew victory was non-negotiable when they played against the Mpumalanga Sunbirds.
In a crucial encounter, the Baobabs rose to the occasion and secured a late 48-46 victory.
The opening quarter was closely contested despite the Sunbirds racing into an early three goal lead.
The Baobabs responded swiftly to draw level before Wing Defense Mmasello Ledwaba got an intercept in the goal third, helping her side move two goals up.
While the Sunbirds looked to exploit their speed down court and transition quickly from defense to attack, the Baobabs opted for a more measured approach, patiently building from their attacking phases.
Sunbirds’ Goal Attack Kelly-Ann Gouws converted a two-pointer while Baobabs’ Goal Attack Rochelle Maree converted three two-pointers and helped her side lead 19-12.
An early strategic stoppage was called by Sunbirds coach Faith Mobeng to give her side further instructions in the second quarter.
The intervention sparked an improved spell as the Mpumalanga side gradually reduced the deficit to three goals.
However, every time the Sunbirds threatened to close the gap, the Baobabs found answers as they were able to restore their seven-goal lead.
Gouws missed an opportunity to pull one back for her side and that led to the Sunbirds being nine-goals behind just before the super shot period.
Gouws was able to redeem herself in the last two minutes of the quarter, adding two more two-pointers to her tally but the Baobabs were still five goals ahead at halftime.
The third quarter was defensively contested by both teams and the Goalkeepers Siphokazi Madonsela and Fulufhelo Nenzhelele read play well, constantly lurking for interception opportunities as neither side was giving an inch.
Baobabs coach Emily Mathosa called for strategic stoppage and asked her side to control the tempo as both teams constantly applied pressure.
The Sunbirds managed to cut the deficit to three after Baobabs Wing Attack Jessica Matjiu threw an errant pass straight out of the court.
Gouws further scored two two-pointers for the Sunbirds and Maree also converted a two-pointer to hand the Baobabs a narrow one-goal lead.
The final quarter produced plenty of drama as both teams continued to go toe-to-toe.
Sunbirds Wing Defense Thabi Skhosana received a warning, and coach Faith opted to play it safe and replaced her with Nobuhle Sibisi.
Only one goal separated the sides ahead of the last super shot period.
Maree converted a single shot thereafter the Baobabs showed great composure, patiently recycling the ball for the final minute and denying the Sunbirds any opportunity.
Their game management paid off as they held on for a dramatic two-goal win.
These two continue to deliver. After sharing the points last time, the Baobabs do enough to get over the line, 48-46 ☀ Strong hands. Big presence. Second POTM. 👏 Siphokazi Madonsela continues to shine for the Sunbirds. pic.twitter.com/aieIJv7efx
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 30, 2026
TORNADOS BEAT SONOBLOMO
Elsewhere, the Tornados laid down an early marker in the opening quarter when they took on Sonoblomo.
The Cape Town based team established a seven-goal cushion and forced Sonoblomo into catch-up mode as they led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Tornados Goalkeeper Lauren Adendorf and Sonoblomo Keeper Lisa Van Vuuren showed up defensively for their sides, coming up with intercepts to keep the intensity alive in the second quarter.
Although Sonoblomo managed to disrupt the Tornados’ flow and slow their attacking progress, they continued to be let down by unforced errors.
The Tornados also stood firm defensively, forcing mistakes and drawing held-ball calls as Sonoblomo struggled to maintain possession.
As the quarter wore on, discipline became increasingly important, with the sustained defensive pressure in the circle contributing to further errors from the Sonoblomo shooters.
A contact penalty was called against Goal Shooter Zeluleko Ntombela which allowed the Tornados to extend their lead to ten goals.
The introduction of the super shot period brought the shooters to the fore, with both sides taking full advantage of the opportunity.
Sonoblomo’s Goal Attack Leane Otto converted two two-pointers, while Ntombela added a single shot.
Goal Shooter Liandre Kriel and Goal Attack Mané Visser responded with two-pointers apiece as the Tornados took a 35-26 lead at halftime.
Sonoblomo produced several promising passages of play in the third quarter, but a growing number of unforced errors, including misplaced feeds and overcooked passes, continued to undermine their efforts.
While they showed greater attacking intent, the Tornados capitalised on those mistakes and maintained composure to head into the final quarter with a fifteen-goal lead.
The final quarter was a tightly contested and a low scoring affair, with defensive pressure from both sides limiting clear opportunities.
Despite Sonoblomo’s determined resistance, led by Wing Defense Lisa Van Vuuren and Goalkeeper Keely-Ann Fourie, the Tornados continued to find success through excellent connection between Kriel, Goal Attack Visser and Centre Jani Bergh.
Their slick triangle passes, and precise ball movement repeatedly helped them work the ball into scoring positions.
The Tornados ultimately edged the quarter 9-7 and secured a 59-52 victory.
Sonoblomo made the log leaders work for it 🌻🌪 The Tornados held firm for a 59-52 win, and now have just one round-robin match remaining before the PW3 semi-finals. Liandré Kriel delivers again ✨ A composed display in the circle sees her claim POTM accolade number two. pic.twitter.com/tpZrKnZQBl
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 30, 2026
QUEENS PIP COMETS
Lastly, the Queens got a much needed 52-51 victory against the Comets to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
KZN side was two goals up early into the game but allowed the Comets to draw level.
From there, the contest settled into an evenly balanced affair, with both teams matching each other goal for goal.
A footwork infringement handed the Queens a valuable turnover, allowing them to restore their two-goal lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Queens extended their lead to four goals in the second quarter following their relentless performance to stay in the lead and managed to secure a 27-23 advantage at halftime.
The Comets started strongly in the third quarter and reduced the deficit to one goal halfway through the championship quarter, but the Queens responded quickly to re-establish their four-goal lead as the defenders worked tirelessly in the circle, disrupting the Comets attacking flow and generating crucial turnovers.
Comets Goal Shooter Bianca Blom and Goal Attack Cikizwa Jaku converted two-pointers apiece and were now two goals behind.
The Eastern Cape outfit continued where they left off and equalised early in the fourth quarter.
The match remained on a knife-edge throughout, with neither side able to create significant separation.
In the end, the Queens held their nerve in the closing moments, edging the Comets by one goal to claim a vital victory in their pursuit of a semifinal berth.
The Kingdom Queens get the job done against the Comets, 52-51, to stay in the semi-final conversation. 👑 Asanda Ndaba leads from the middle 👏🏆 The Kingdom Queens Centre earns POTM honours after an influential all-round performance. pic.twitter.com/Aayn9Zcl9t
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 30, 2026
FULL RESULTS:
Aloes 55-53 Zambezi Eagles
Queens 52-51 Comets
Sonoblomo 52-59 Tornados
Jaguars 45-56 Stings
Crinums 47-37 Fireballs
Sunbirds 46-48 Baobabs
Zambezi 65-43 Eagles Stars