Varsity Netball 2026 semi-finalists decided after dramatic round 7

It will be UJ against UFS Kovsies and defending champions NWU Eagles against UP-Tuks in the semi-finals of Varsity Netball 2026 following round 7 at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria. Maties caused a major upset in beating defending champions NWU while Kovsies won the Free State derby against CUT. Tuks beat Wits and UJ were victorious over Madibaz.

CUT 46 – 60 UFS KOVSIES

The experience of five-time champions UFS Kovsies proved decisive when they beat newcomers CUT 60-46 in their Bloemfontein derby.

While Kovsies were clinical in the goal circle, untidy play from CUT didn’t make things easy for the newcomers. The former champions were lethal on attack and with the help of the first power play, they kept the scoreboard ticking. Kovsies lead 21-7 at the end of the first 15 minutes of play.

It remained one-way traffic as Kovsies upped the tempo in the second quarter. CUT could not keep up with the intensity and with their opponents having dominance. At the half-time break, Kovsies had a comfortable 36-14 lead.

The third quarter saw a marked improvement from the newcomers who

displayed a positive performance. Two crucial blocks from Tshegofatso Makoko and Nena Radebe added some pressure on their opponents. Kovsies, however, weren’t going to be easily intimidated and went into the final break with the scoreboard reading 49-33.

Kovsies edged further ahead in the last 15 minutes, proving too strong for CUT and managed to walk away with bragging rights in the Free State derby.

Quarter scores: 7-21|14-36|33-49|46-60

Player of the match: Megan Erasmus (UFS Kovsies)

CUT: Zandria Bastone, Tshepiso Choeu, Keletso Gontho, Nomthandazo Hluti, Thandeka Ronica Lefuma, Thandolwethu Madime, Tshegofatso Makoko, Zeluleko Ntombela, Nena Radebe, Dimpho Faith Totola, Karla Victor, Sisabonga Xentsa.

UFS Kovsies: Liame de Lange, Mari Du Raan, Megan Erasmus, Keevy-Ann Fourie, Elri Groenewald, Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo, Marianne Louw, Bianca Lubbe, Thandolwethu Mokoena, Siyamthanda Sambo, Lisa vana Vuuren, Janie Visser.

MATIES 54 – 47 NWU EAGLES

Leading start to finish, Maties shocked defending champions NWU Eagles for a 54-47 victory.

The Stellenbosch outfit made early strides, displaying compact defence and lethal attacks. Iselle Acker was on target in the goal circle. The Maroon Machine called their power play in the first 15 minutes and made full use of it to strengthen their advantage over the champions, leading 18-10 at the break.

In the second quarter, the Eagles started gaining momentum and reduced the gap to just five goals at one point. Maties however pulled off some turnovers to make it 29-20 at half-time.

With the clock ticking, the third quarter saw NWU piling the pressure on Maties, wanting to turn their fortunes around. Sunel Smit was clinical in guiding her team forwards. The champions fought back and closed the gap to just two goals, 38-36, with 15 minutes remaining.

The last period was everyone’s game with NWU equalling the score with 12 minutes left to play. The Potchefstroom side called their power play late in the clash, which turned things against them. Maties took the opportunity to stretch their lead once again and to clinch a hard-fought 54-47 victory over the defending champions.

Quarter scores: 18-10|29-20|38-36|54-47

Player of the match: Lize Rossouw (Maties)

Maties: Bianca Odendaal, Cara Els, Chris-Marie Marx, Hannah Kriel, Iselle Acker, Kristen McGregor, Lara Ehlers, Lisa Ingwersen, Lize Rossouw, Thabisa Yekani, Vinah Mokgatle, Zahrah Noah.

NWU Eagles: Christi-Marie Coetzee, Reze Coetzer, Njabulo Hlophe, Andrya Joubert, Lethabo Komane, Jaime Matfield, Amori Matthee, Makgoshi Priscilla Mogashoa, Amia Roux, Sunel Smith, Liané van Lochem, Vivian Venancio.

UP-TUKS 70 – 50 WITS

UP-Tuks put up a tremendous performance in front of their home crowd to beat Wits 70-50. This follows their impressive victory yesterday (Sunday 13 September) over log leaders UJ.

The Stripe Generation wasted no time in cementing their dominance, producing a clinical display in the goal circle in the opening 15 minutes. Wits struggled to keep up but with the help of the power play, they managed to net 13 goals. Tuks nonetheless led 25-13 at the break.

In the second quarter, Tuks continued to control proceedings. Wits had a mountain to climb as it was all one-way traffic. Tuks’ strong start put them in the driving seat with a healthy 39-26 lead at the halftime break.

Wits returned from the break rejuvenated and eager to close the margin. But the Johannesburg side could not match their opponent’s intensity as they struggled to turn things around. The home team was firmly in charge at the end of the quarter, 49-39.

The last 15 minutes were more of the same, with the final power play confirming the status of the match. Tuks put the pedal down and scored a healthy 70-50 victory.

Quarter scores: 25-13|39-26|49-39|70-50

Player of the match: Skyla Eley (UP-Tuks)

UP-Tuks: Anke van Rensburg, Kayla Venancio, Kiara van Eeden, Kimberly Amiras, Kristi Koekemoer, Kyla Dames, Lente Kroukamp, Luca Keun, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa, Skyla Eley, Phophi Nematangari, Kamogelo Maseko.

Wits: Alix Horn, Ametisse Bakenga Bandu, Amy Horn, Bophelo Mofokeng, Giada Prinsloo, Keira Pienaar, Kekeletso Molotsi, Mignon Mentz, Oratile Mokone, Philasande Ntuli, Shiàne Fouché, Zanele Soviya. 

UJ 49 – 41 MADIBAZ

UJ had to hold off a motivated Madibaz to secure a 49-41 victory and finish this year’s competition at the top of the log. Their opponent’s failed to secure a single victory.

UJ were quick out of the blocks and raced to a 4-0 lead but Madibaz then started fighting back, determined to stay in touch. UJ managed to stay ahead at the end of the first period with a narrow 12-10 lead.

It was an end-to-end action-packed clash with both teams unleashing everything in their arsenal in the second quarter. The Orange Army relied on their consistency, with goal shooter Kadijat Abubakar converting every attempt. At the half-time break, they were holding on to their slim lead, 26-23.

In the third quarter, Madibaz struggled to keep up and the gap started to grow. The period of play belonged to the in-form Orange Army as their dominance was on full display. The Johannesburg giants kept a rigid defence to counter Madibaz’s attack and went into the break with the score on 39-30.

The last 15 minutes heated up as the action headed to a close. UJ kept their intentions clear and remained dominant as Madibaz slowly fell off the pace. It was UJ all the way with the Johannesburg side taking maximum points with their 49-41 victory.

Quarter scores: 12-10|26-23|39-30|49-41

Player of the match: Juanita van Tonder (Madibaz)

UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Amara Agbai, Boitumelo Mahloko, Cornelia Mupenda, Georgia Leppan, Neo Mosweu, Kadijat Abubakar, Kamogelo Motsepe, Sesandile Ngubane, Shiloh Berardelli, Tarle Mathe, Suné Barnard.

Madibaz: Bronwyn Ann Goosen, Edon Snyman, Hanniska van Vuuren, Inganathi Sapepa, Jessica Strydom, Juanita van Tonder, Keagile Magadia, Leila Nel, Neviera Gunn, Ogiyonke Lilitha Mabani, Simone Louw, Yazi Dumbela.