Recap of the Varsity Netball 2024 season with highlights
- Siraj Kamedien
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
The 2024 Varsity Netball season delivered an unforgettable mix of thrilling encounters, shock upsets, and standout performances as the country’s top university stars battled for supremacy. From the opening weekend to the extra-time drama of the final, fans were treated to one of the most competitive tournaments in recent memory with UFS-Kovsies winning their 5th title.
Fast Starts and Early Shocks:
The season tipped off in Johannesburg with a statement from the defending champions UP Tuks, who cruised past TUT. UJ, last year’s runners-up, held their nerve to edge Maties, while UFS Kovsies and NWU both opened with convincing wins over Wits and Madibaz respectively.
The second round saw underdogs Wits push Tuks all the way before the champs prevailed, while Kovsies narrowly beat NWU in a battle of heavyweights, UJ dispatched Madibaz with ease, and Maties got their first win after beating TUT.
Round 3 produced a highlight clash as UJ edged Kovsies in the final quarter to stay perfect. Tuks, Maties, and NWU all collected comfortable wins, keeping the log tight at the top.
Mid-Season Drama
Round 4 brought the first real upset of the tournament when NWU toppled Tuks by a single goal in Gqeberha. UJ kept their unbeaten run alive with a hard-fought derby win over Wits, Kovsies overcame Maties, and Madibaz overpowered TUT.
The following week, Maties staged an epic comeback to hand Tuks a second straight loss, while UJ thumped NWU, Kovsies beat Madibaz, and Wits grabbed their first win of the season over TUT.
By Round 6, UJ remained unbeaten, and Tuks were suddenly in danger of missing the semi-finals after falling to Kovsies in Bloemfontein. Wins for NWU and Maties pushed them into the top four, setting up a tense final round.
The Road to the Semi-Finals:
Round 7 saw Tuks fight back to keep their title defence alive with a crucial victory over UJ. The result set up two semi-finals in Bloemfontein: UJ vs NWU and Kovsies vs Tuks.
In the first semi-final, UJ edged NWU in a tense battle, while Kovsies ended the defending champions’ run with a composed win, booking a final showdown between the top two teams on the log.
An Extra-Time Classic Varsity Netball Final:
The 2024 final between Kovsies and UJ at the Callie Human Hall was a showcase of determination and skill. Kovsies held narrow leads at every break, but UJ’s resilience and tactical power plays pushed the game into extra time at 47-47.
The first seven minutes of extra time ended level again, but in the final stretch Kovsies, spurred on by their home crowd, surged ahead to seal a 58-55 victory and claim their fifth Varsity Netball title.
Refiloe Nketsa was named FNB Player of the Match in the final.
Rolene Streutker took home the FNB Player of the Tournament award.
Sunel Smit earned the Suzuki Player’s Player of the Tournament award.
We can't wait for the 2025 season to start on 24 August to find out who will be crowned champions this year and which players will emerge as the stars of tomorrow.
.png)
Comments