Varsity Netball 2025 semifinalists confirmed as Kovsies go top of the log and NWU beat UJ

NWU shocked unbeaten UJ while defending champions UFS Kovsies nearly stumbled against Maties in the last round of Varsity Netball 2025 at the Wits Sports Hall in Johannesburg. In the two other matches Madibaz beat Varsity College and Wits scored an impressive victory over UP-Tuks.

The Orange Army will have a chance to avenge their loss when they take on the Eagles in the first semifinal on Monday 22 September (17:00). Kovsies and the Maroon Machine face off in the other semifinal encounter later, also on Monday (19:00).

MADIBAZ 64 – 35 VARSITY COLLEGE

Madibaz finished their 2025 campaign off with a convincing win over Varsity College. They also scored incredible victories over former champions NWU and UP-Tuks at the beginning of the season.

The game started at a slow pace with both teams appearing edgy and sussing each other out. Madibaz then utilised the Suzuki powerplay effectively to end out the first quarter with a five-goal cushion, 14-9.

The second quarter saw the Eastern Cape team extend their lead by moving the ball into their goal third and feeding into the circle with ease. The newcomers struggled to keep the intensity going and at the halftime break, the score was 29-15 in favour of Madibaz.

Varsity College mounted a strong fight back effort in the third quarter and showed intent to close the gap. Despite their defensive strategy, they still trailed their opponents when the whistle went, 44-25.

In the final 15 minutes Madibaz maintained their dominance over the Varsity Netball debutants. Their experience showed on the scoreboard as they secured a 64-35 victory. Varsity College gave it their all but ended their 2025 campaign without a win.

Quarter scores: 14-9 | 29-15 | 44-25 | 64-35

Player of the match: Kaylin Coetzer (Madibaz)

Madibaz: Anke Britz, Kaylin Coetzer, Hanniska van Vuuren, Simone Louw, Keagile Magadla, Luyanda Tsotetsi, Mbali Gunyazile, Edon Snyman, Kelly du Toit, Inge van Eyk, Bronwyn Goosen, Sibongokuhle Mnqayi.

Varsity College: Adri Kannemeyer, Robyn Hathaway, Andrea Van der Merwe, Casey Weber, Sara Feintuch, Olukemi Amarachi Akuma Agbai, Elzaan Smith, Allison Nola Beck, Sikanyiso Mtshwepe, Stacey-Lee Feris, Caitlin Rose Cunningham, Isabella De Vincenzo.

MATIES 47 – 55 UFS KOVSIES

Defending champions UFS Kovsies overcame a six-goal deficit at halftime to score an important and hard-fought victory over Maties with the semifinals just a week away.

Both teams were riding high after their victories yesterday and it was a case of high-intensity netball right from the start. The Maroon Machine was on fire and ended the first quarter leading 12-10.

Maties picked up where they left off in the second quarter, dominating play and scoring quick goals to maintain and extend their lead. Cheered on by their substitutions on the bench, Kovsies tried to fight back. Brilliant intercepts by Maties’ Syntiche Kabuya, however, denied the defending champions the chance to capitalise on their opportunities. When the halftime whistle blew, the Maroon Machine were 29-23 in front.

In a thrilling turn of events in the third quarter, Kovsies staged a remarkable comeback. Playing with a high tempo and gunning for every ball, the defending champions pushed Maties on the backfoot. The scoreboard changed to 37-40 in favour of Kovsies.

The final 15 minutes produced a physical and high-intensity battle, with both sides pushing hard for a win. Maties tried to fight back into the game, but Kovsies didn't slow down their attacking dominance and secured a vital 47-55 victory.

Quarter scores: 12-10 | 29-23 | 37-40 | 47-55

Player of the match: Syntiche Kabuya (Maties)

Maties: Hannah Kriel, Michelle van der Merwe, Lara Ehlers, Lize Rossouw, Syntiche Kabuya, Juane Maass, Thabisa Yekani, Bianca Odendaal, Chloe Parsadh, Kristine McGregor, Lara Steenkamp, Anke Stoffberg.

UFS Kovsies: Liame de Lange, Reratilwe Letsoalo, Elene Vosloo, Xandri Fourie, Charne van Vuuren, Chanique Eyberg, Mari du Raan, Thando Mokoena, Leane Otto, Megan Erasmus, Syamthandanda Sambo, Mienke Delport.

UJ 42 – 50 NWU

In a nail-biting game that had fans in the Wits Sports Hall on the edge of their seats, NWU came from behind to dislodge UJ from their position at the top of the log. The loss meant Kovsies leapfrogged the Orange Army into first place.

Sending out final vibes, UJ and NWU showed clear intention from the start that this was a must win game for both of them. Goals were hard to come by and there were several impactful intercepts. The first 15 minutes of play ended with the Orange Army just holding out the Eagles, 9-8.

In the second quarter, both teams battled intensely for the entire 15 minutes. UJ managed to maintain their lead despite NWU's relentless chase. A standout performance from UJ star

defender Cornelia Mupenda unsettled NWU's attacking prowess, leading to some costly mistakes. UJ held a narrow 19-17 lead going into halftime.

The Eagles utilised the Suzuki powerplay to great effect in the third quarter. With strong intercepts, they slowly gained the upper hand. At the end of the period of play, the scoreboard was 32-33 in favour of NWU.

In the final 15 minutes, the Eagles kept riding the wave of momentum, piling the pressure on UJ who had the support of their fans cheering them on. Despite the onslaught from all sides, NWU kept cool and went on to clinch a fantastic 42-50 victory.

Quarter scores: 9-8 | 19-17 | 32-33 | 42-50

Player of the match: Cornelia Mupenda (UJ)

UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Juanika Steinmann, Kubura Abubakar, Minette Erasmus, Luyanda Msomi, Yanke Broodryk, Kamogelo Motsepe, Cornelia Mupenda, Sli Ngcobo, Tassnique Norman, Jade Niemand, Kaneilwe Seopa.

NWU: Sunel Smit, Jaime Matfield, Andrya Joubert, Jessica Matjiu, Johanné Meyer, Amori Matthee, Christi-Mari Coetzee, Vivian Venancio, Jade Egwatu, Liane van Lochem, Casey Davids, Johanne Meyer.

WITS 57 – 40 UP-TUKS

In the last match of regular play in the 2025 tournament, Wits scored an impressive victory over former champions UP-Tuks. The result left the Pretoria team second from the bottom while the Johannesburg team finished fifth.

In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Wits stamped their authority already in the first quarter. The Stripe Generation were forced into several changes due to injury and that hampered their play. The period of play ended with Wits leading 12-9.

In the second quarter, the Joburg outfit leveraged their home advantage even further, dominating the game and pressing Tuks into making mistakes. They finished the quarter leading 25-17.

The intense third quarter saw Tuks trying to close the gap but Wits used the Suzuki powerplay to extend their lead amidst a stoppage due to a head injury to Tuks' Lebo Moremi. The quarter ended with the scoreboard 40-30 in Wits’ favour.

The last 15 minutes saw another Tuks injury, this time to Marichelle Visagie, who suffered a nosebleed that forced her to depart the court. Wits stretched their lead and closed out the match with a 57-40 win.

Quarter scores: 12-9 | 25-17 | 40-30 | 57-40

Player of the match: Philasande Ntuli (Wits)

Wits: Alix Horn, Amber Marshall, Amy Horn, Mikhe van der Watt, Nomhle Hope Sibiya, Oratile Mokone, Philasande Ntuli, Shani Mokken, Zanele Soviya, Phozisa Ramncwana.

UP-Tuks: Georgia de Jongh, Megan Holland, Juané Kruger, Devoné Lansberg, Thando Ngcobo, Caroline Paul, Anja van den Heever, Venece van Vollenhoven, Marichelle Visagie, Jamie Williamson, Lebo Moremi, Ilani Klopper.