VARSITY NETBALL: Runaway victory for Kovsies and fourth win on the trott for UJ

There were no major surprises in round four of Varsity Netball 2025 at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria. Defending champions UFS Kovsies swept past newcomers Varsity College while log leaders UJ continued on their winning ways with a victory over Wits.

NWU handed UP Tuks their third defeat of the season and Maties beat Madibaz.

UP-TUKS 54 – 67 NWU

NWU Eagles claimed an imposing victory over UP-Tuks to register their third win of the season.

The visitors put up a strong start to dent the Pretoria outfit’s hopes of survival in a struggling season.

The Eagles cemented their dominance from the first quarter with a lethal attack and clinical shooting in the circle.

A slow start from the hosts proved costly as the Potchefstroom team took a solid 10 goal lead at the end of the first 15 minutes, 11-21.

NWU were not done yet as they returned to court blazing. It was one-way traffic in front of loud Tuks supporters at the Rembrandt Hall as shooter Sunel Smit cemented her supremacy.

Tuks coach Amanda Mynhardt made creative changes to her side moving Marichelle Visagie to goal circle and captain Caroline Paul to centre to keep up with the score board.

NWU were still in the lead at halftime, 22-36.

In the third quarter, Tuks remained on the back foot with a lot of unforced errors giving the visitors confidence to pile on the pressure.

With outstanding consistency, the Eagles pressed Tuks into the corner and stretched their lead to end the period of play 35-52.

Tuks had a mountain to climb in the last 15 minutes and they finally seemed to find the momentum, sinking seven consecutive goals.

It was not enough though for the Stripe Generation as the Eagles managed to hold on for the win, 54-67.

Quarter scores: 11-21 | 22-36 | 35-52 | 54-67

Player of the match: Christi-Mari Coetzee (NWU)

UP-Tuks: Georgia de Jongh, Zionné Grobler, Megan Holland, Elri Jacobs, Juané Kruger, Devoné Lansberg, Thando Ngcobo, Caroline Paul, Anja van den Heever, Venece van Vollenhoven, Marichelle Visagie, Jamie Williamson.

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

UFS KOVSIES 86 – 13 VARSITY KOLLEGE

UFS Kovsies put the foot down against Varsity College to remain on track for a title defence.

It was a tough day at the office for the newcomers and they found it hard to deal with the intensity, clinical and lethal display from Kovsies.

The Bloemfontein based team took off relentlessly to lead 28-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Trusted to fill in the big boots of Rolene Streutker, it was Mari du Raan who showed no mercy in the shooting circle.

In the second quarter, it was Burta De Kock’s troops who capitalised on both power plays scoring a total of 12 goals.

 Displaying a player of the match performance, Du Raan remained glued to the hoop, with the score 44-7 at halftime.

Varsity College looked stranded for most of the encounter as they had to focus on managing the deadly attack of the Kovsies.

The onslaught continued in the third quarter, with the period of play ending on 58-10.

Kovsies added 28 goals in the last 15 minutes, proving their supremacy to come out on top in the one-sided affair, 86-13.

Quarter scores: 28-3 | 44-7 | 58-10 | 86-13

Player of the match: Mari du Raan (UFS Kovsies)

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

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, Kaitlin Barnard.

MATIES 44 - 29 MADIBAZ

Maties found their rhythm as they edge Madibaz with a 15 point triumph. The Maroon Machine pulled out a solid performance to topple the in-form Madibaz.

As anticipated, the first quarter was tightly contested with little separating the two sides.

Maties proved to be more clinical and made use of their chances going to the second quarter with just a three-goal lead, 9-6.

It was difficult for Madbiaz to deal with Maties’ speed in transition play in the second quarter and their woes were further dented when their key player Kelly du Toit suffered an ankle injury.

Maties went into the halftime break leading 20-13.

The Stellenbosch team capitalised on their strengths up front in the third quarter with deadly shooting from Hannah Kriel being fed sensationally from the circle’s edge.

The penultimate quarter ended with Maties 31-21 in front.

In the final 15 minutes, the Maroon Machine kept adding to the scoreboard with good interceptions while remaining composed at the back.

Solid defence by Bianca Odendaal and Syntiche Kabuya added to the pressure on Madibaz.

Despite a late effort by the Madibaz, the whistle went with the score on 44-29 and a solid victory for Maties.

Quarter scores: 9-6 | 20-13 | 31-21 | 44-29

Player of the match: Hannah Kriel (Maties)

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

Madibaz: Anke Britz, Kaylin Coetzer, Juanita van Tonder, Hanniska van Vuuren, Simone Louw, Keagile Magadla, Luyanda Tsotetsi, Mbali Gunyazile, Edon Snyman, Kelly du Toit, Samuelinah Ndizana, Inge van Eyk.

WITS 32 - 54 UJ

UJ claimed bragging rights in the Johannesburg derby as they comprehensively beat neighbours Wits in round four’s last match.

Bongi Msomi’s troops remain unbeaten and have cemented themselves as a real threat to take the title.

Despite a tight opening quarter, the back to back runners-up (2023, 2024) showed unrelenting intent when they took to court.

With a clear game plan from Dr Elsje Jordaan’s side, Wits held the Orange Army at bay, only giving them a three goal lead, 9-12.

UJ kept taking their opportunities in the second quarter, with standout performances from Cornelia Mupenda on goal defence and the deadly duo of Kubura Abubakar and Owethu Sesandile Ngubane up front.

It was a staggering quarter as the two sides continued to throw everything at each other.

UJ however stretched their lead to 22-16 at the halftime break as Wits struggled to deal with the orange wave.

In the third quarter, Wits found it difficult to maintain momentum and control of their plays as UJ kept possession and produced rewarding intercepts.

They had a 23 goal advantage at the end of the quarter, 19-42.

UJ limited their errors and took full advantage of the last power play to seal the 32-54 victory and be crowned the queens of Joburg.

Quarter scores: 9-12 | 16-22 | 19-42| 32-54

Player of the match: Cornelia Mupenda (UJ)

Wits: Alix Horn, Amber Marshall, Ametisse Bandu, Giada Prinsloo, Luane Smith, Mikhe van der Watt, Nomhle Hope Sibiya, Oratile Mokone, Philasande Ntuli, Shani Mokken, Zanele Soviya, Phozisa Ramncwana.

UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Juanika Steinmann, Sesandile Ngubane, Kubura Abubakar, Tarle Mathe, Minette Erasmus, Luyanda Msomi, Yanke Broodryk, Kamogelo Motsepe, Cornelia Mupenda, Sli Ngcobo, Tassnique Norman.