UFS Kovsies will be going after their fifth title and UJ their first when the two teams meet on Monday 7 October in the final of the 2024 Varsity Netball tournament.
Kovsies beat defending champions UP Tuks in the second semifinal at the Callie Human Hall in Bloemfontein. In the first semifinal, last year’s runners-up UJ held on to be victorious against NWU.
UFS KOVSIES 68 – 62 UP TUKS
Only four goals separated the teams at halftime, but ultimately it was a case of cool heads maintained as UFS Kovsies advanced to yet another final following a solid victory over UP Tuks.
With overwhelming support in the stands, Kovsies’ strategy was simple – secure their place in the final without leaving any room for doubt. Tuks however responded well to the initial string of goals to equal matters. The defending champions then took the lead for a short bit until the home team upped their game once more to go into the first quarter break with a 15-13 lead.
Rolene Streutker and Xandri Fourie didn’t put a foot wrong in the Kovsies goal circle, converting opportunity after opportunity. Tuks matched the added intensity with goal shooter Alice Kennon coming through for her team. Where there’s friction, there’s heat and together with the added intensity, the clash became physical at times. Kovsies called their power play but could only add four points which allowed Tuks to stay within touching distance. The halftime score was 35-31 in Kovsies’ favour.
The difference came in the all-important third quarter when Kovsies started firing on all cylinders and edging ahead of the defending champions. At the end of the 15 minutes of play, Kovsies had stretched their lead to 53-43.
It was all to play for in the last 15 minutes and Tuks made full use of their power play, outscoring Kovsies by four points in the quarter. It was however too little, too late and drawing strength from their boisterous supporters in the stands, Kovsies walked away with a 68-62 victory to advance to the final.
QUARTER SCORES: 15-13 | 35-31 | 53-43 | 68-62
FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Xandri Fourie (UFS Kovsies)
UFS KOVSIES: Liamé De Lange, Demi-Leigh de Jager, Megan Erasmus, Xandri Fourie, Elri Groenewald, Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo, Owami Mohuli, Refiloe Nketsa, Lethabo Sehlapelo, Rolene Streutker, Charné van Vuuren, Karla Victor.
UP TUKS: Alice Kennon, Caroline Paul, Kamogelo Maseko, Kylie van Wyk, Luca Keun, Marichelle Visagie, Melissa van Zyl, Milla Coetzee, Phophi Nematangari, Tinita van Dyk, Kyla Dames, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa.
UJ 55 – 48 NWU
The match between UJ and NWU had everything you expect from a Varsity Netball semifinal. There were fiercely contended strategies unfolding on the court and spectator rivalry off the court. In the end the Orange Army won the tightly contested battle.
From the get-go, UJ’s intention was clear – retaining ball possession. This led to scoring first while the Eagles struggled to get the ball into the net. UJ goal shooter Muhluri Hlatshwayo kept the scoreboard ticking over without missing a beat. This led to the Orange Army going into the break 14-10 as the Eagle supporters used the opportunity to overwhelm the Callie Human Hall with song.
NWU were the first to score in the second quarter, feeding off the energy from their supporters. They did however struggle to turn opportunities into points despite Sunel Smit having a height advantage over her opponents. It was apparent that the rivalry between the two teams’ supporters was a reflection of what was happening on the court. When the hooter sounded for halftime, UJ were leading 25-20.
The game shifted into a new gear in the third quarter and the pace and cheering increased. Both teams matched each other during UJ’s power play, collecting four points each. The Orange Army stretched their lead with another goal though and went into the final quarter with the scoreboard 40-34 in their favour.
NWU left their power play for the last quarter of the match. They came within striking distance in their attempts to overhaul UJ, only to see victory and a place in the final slip away. UJ managed to stay a few steps ahead to seal an important 55-48 victory.
QUARTER SCORES: 14-10 | 25-20 | 40-34 | 55-48
FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Muhluri Hlatshwayo (UJ)
UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Aphiwe Thusini, Boitumelo Mehloko, Cornelia Mupenda, Gugulethu Mdladla, Henlize Basson, Jade Niemand, Kamogelo Motsepe, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Tarle Mathe, Yanke Broodryk.
NWU: Casey Davids, Jade Egwatu, Nadine Hefer, Martiné Jordaan, Jomari Lübbe, Kegaugetswe Mashilo, Amori Matthee, Tlotlang Mokomela, Nicola Oosthuizen, Sunel Smit, Sanmarie Visser, Johanne Meyer.