Wits aiming for top four finish in Varsity Netball 2026

A perfect blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars is fuelling Wits Netball's hunt for a top-four finish in Varsity Netball 2026. Stepping into their fourth Varsity Netball season, the squad is motivated by the lessons of last year's narrow fifth-place finish.

Head coach Dr Elsje Jordaan believes this evolved roster maturity is exactly what the team needs to master clinical execution and seize the moments that matter.

"Every competition is special, and it's different. There's a lot of experience in the squad now, so it's a mixture of youth and experience. I anticipate more confidence, belief, and strength."

In last year's Varsity Netball campaign, Jordaan's biggest concern was taking a young, inexperienced team up against the tournament's big guns without key players. This year presents a completely different narrative, she says.

“We are very positive, we are very excited. Ametisse Banda is back from injury, so we are very excited as we prepare. We are dealing with an ankle injury to one of our senior players, Zanele Soviya. She's on a management plan and will be joining us somewhere during the tournament. But the rest of the squad is fit and everybody is available for selection.  We just want to give first years opportunities like Keke Moeletsi, who's joining us."

The lessons from their previous campaign remain crystal clear, particularly after agonisingly close encounters against heavyweights like Maties and NWU. Jordaan notes that the margins at this level are small, and success boils down to capitalising on specific tactical areas.

“I think we realised there that you need to make use of your opportunities. Last year’s tournament, I don’t think we won enough balls. We didn’t create enough turnovers, and if you don’t win the ball on the field, it's really difficult to win the game and build scoreboard pressure. It's important for us to work hard in our defensive unity that's come a long way, and then in front, it's about converting our shots into goals.”

Jordaan insists that Wits are done being written off by critics.

“Smaller programs like Wits will always be a surprise package but on the day, the players just need to pitch up and make the game plan work. The players are excited and looking forward to the challenge, and we'll fight hard.”

The Joburg outfit will look to prove exactly that when they kick off their campaign against tournament newcomers CUT on Sunday. Jordaan is guarding against any complacency, noting that the debutants possess dangerous individual talent and she knows there will be no room for error.

“CUT is a whole different team … They have Karla Victor in the squad, who just returned from representing the Proteas at the Commonwealth Games, so they have a lot of quality players.

"Every single match in Varsity Netball level is a battle, and we cannot afford to give them an inch on the court."

Wits Provisional Squad: Giada Prinsloo, Philsande Ntuli, Alix Horn, Ametisse Bakenga Bandu, Amy Horn, Bophelo Mofokeng, Giuliana Vieira, Keira Pienaar, Kekeletso Molotsi, Mikayla Mbalenhle Radebe, Mignon Mentz, Oratile Mokone, Primrose Ngwenya, Shiàne Fouché, Zanele Soviya.

Fixtures HERE.

Tickets HERE.