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UP-Tuks head coach Nic Stothard praised his side’s response after they returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 victory over UJ at Tuks Stadium. The result came after Tuks were looking to bounce back from their previous outing against Wits, with Stothard pleased with the way his players responded on home soil. "We needed to bounce back as we didn't have a good result in our previous game against Wits," he said. "And we have bounced back in a good fashion, creating lots of chances which worked for us." The Pretoria-based outfit had also defeated UL 3-0 at home last week, highlighting their attacking threat as they continue their Varsity Football campaign. Stothard believes this year’s Tuks side has developed a different approach in front of goal, with goals coming more consistently and from different areas of the team. "This year things are different on our side; we score regularly, and we score differently." With momentum building, Tuks will look to maintain their attacking form in the matches ahead. Fixtures: HERE Tickets: HERE By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego

TUT head coach Bushy Moloi believes his side’s strong response after a difficult start has shown the character within the Red Army as they continue their Varsity Football campaign. TUT endured a challenging opening result but quickly turned things around, responding with victories and building momentum as the tournament progressed. Moloi believes the team’s ability to learn from setbacks has been key to their progress. "We started our tournament well, although we lost our first game, we came back by correcting ourselves and winning," he said. With TUT continuing to push towards the latter stages of the competition, Moloi says the team is motivated by its proud history and the expectation that comes with representing the Red Army. "We deserve respect; we are the Red Army. We are the only university that has won more than others and been to the final more than others." Moloi and his charges will now look to continue their fight as they target another strong Varsity Football campaign. Fixtures: HERE Tickets: HERE By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego

The NWU Eagles will aim to move one step closer to defending their title when they face UP-Tuks in the first semi-final of Varsity Netball 2026 on Monday, 21 September (17:00) at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria. The two teams had a close encounter at the start of this year’s competition when the champions walked away with a one-goal victory (60-59) during the first bumper weekend in Stellenbosch. This time around the focus for the Eagles will be to stay composed, protect possession and deliver a consistent performance for 60 minutes. Head coach Elsunet du Plessis expects a tough battle against Tuks. She says there is little room for error at this stage of the competition. “Tuks is a quality side, and we expect a very competitive semi-final. At this stage of the competition, every team is capable of winning on the day.” She says NWU will focus on its own strengths and execute its game plan under pressure. “For us, the focus will be on our own performance, staying disciplined, executing our game plan and making good decisions under pressure. We will need to be consistent for the full 60 minutes and make the most of the opportunities we create.” The Eagles have used lessons from the whole competition to sharpen their preparations for Monday’s knockout encounter against the Stripe Generation. Du Plessis says the team has shown good form during the competition, but consistency remains vital. “We have had some very good passages of netball, but consistency throughout the match remains important. We are focusing on looking after possession, being more clinical with our opportunities and maintaining our defensive pressure.” Captain Vivian Venancio says the players are focused and determined ahead of the semi-final. “We expect to go out there, play our own game and trust the work we have put in throughout the season. We know what we are capable of, so it’s about staying focused and hopefully coming away with the victory.” The match will also have a personal edge for Venancio as she faces her sister, Kayla Venancio, who will be wearing a Tuks outfit. “It’s definitely special competing against my sister, especially in a game of this magnitude, but once I step onto the court, I put the family connection aside because I am here for one job,” she says. Fixtures HERE. Tickets HERE.

UFS Kovsies are relishing the prospect of home-ground advantage when they host UJ in the second semi-final of Varsity Netball 2026 on Monday 21 September (19:00) at the Callie Human Hall in Bloemfontein. The five-time champions finished their round-robin campaign strongly, but two defeats earlier in the tournament saw them finish fourth overall. One of those defeats came against the Orange Army, with the Kovsies going down 40-50 in Johannesburg. Now, with a place in the final and a sixth Varsity Netball title within touching distance, captain Megan Erasmus believes the home crowd could make all the difference. “I’m just very excited about the semi-final. It’s obviously going to be a good game against UJ. They’re very strong opponents. They’ve been unbeaten for the most part, until Tuks beat them this weekend. “We’re very excited and we’re really going to take this opportunity to go to the final. Then we want to win the Varsity Netball and get the sixth star on our dresses. “We’re very excited about the home-ground advantage. The Callie (Human Hall) always has an amazing atmosphere, and it’s just so great to see all the people come to support us. “We work hard every day, just like other teams. This week we’re just going into some preparation. We’re doing some analysis on UJ, so, yeah, we’re just very excited. “We have a very wide variety of players in our team. We have strong players in each position. “And yes, not everything went well in this Varsity Netball, but you know what? Rome wasn’t built in a day. And we believe that we learned from each game, and we’ve grown so much as a team, working together.” For coach Burta de Kock, Monday’s clash represents another important milestone as she enters the final stretch of her tenure at the helm of Kovsies. De Kock has backed her squad to embrace the occasion, with the Callie Human expected to be buzzing as the Kovsies chase another appearance in the final. “We are so grateful for such a brilliant, brilliant group of players. We reached the semi-finals. “UJ are always strong, but they also struggled this weekend with a loss. I don’t think they want to play against us at the Callie, so we are looking forward to it. “It is a totally new competition. We will go out full gun, with brilliant, brilliant players and good preparation. “We have a lot of contributions from the captain and from the other assistant captains, as well as my coaches with me. So, I’m looking forward to this week.” Fixtures HERE. Tickets HERE.

The University of Limpopo (UL) Varsity Football campaign may not have delivered the results the team hoped for, but it has left behind a story of resilience, gratitude, and determination. Speaking after playing six matches, head coach Lesetja Laka reflected on the experience of qualifying for varsity football for the first time in years. “We are grateful to represent our province and institution. It has been a journey of mixed emotions and life lessons. We learned more about life than football from this years’ experience,” he expressed. The team played six matches, drawing only once and losing five. While the results were disappointing, the coach emphasized the positives. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but we take it as lessons. In most games, we were in a good position to win, but things did not go our way. We will come back stronger for next year’s edition, which is now a priority,” said Laka. Laka also highlighted the importance of perseverance. Despite setbacks, they remained committed to finishing the season. “It’s been heartbreaking, but we take the lessons. One day we will tell the full story, because not everything is as it seems,” he added. Looking ahead, the team plans to adjust its approach. Having been caught on counterattacks in earlier matches, they intend to adopt a more cautious, defensive strategy while still pushing for victory. “We were often the more attacking side, but desperation cost us. Now we will be more defensive‑minded securing that elusive win,” Laka explained. Though results fell short, the campaign showcased the team’s spirit, gratitude toward supporters, and determination to grow. UL’s varsity football journey this year may be remembered less for scores and more for the resilience that will fuel future success. UL’s last kick-off for this season will take place on the 18th of September 2026 against TUT at Oscar Mpetha stadium (18:30) Fixtures: HERE Tickets: HERE By: Lebohang Mathaba

After overcoming a two-month knee injury that almost ruled her out of Varsity Netball 2026, Ametisse Bandu has returned to court, putting in one stellar performance after the other for Wits. Since being back, she has shown the hunger she's always had for the game and made her presence felt. She says the healing journey was tough as it was the first major injury of her sporting career. “It took a toll on my mental health because I never really had injuries in my sporting career. It was really tough sitting out and watching, but I learned a lot. Watching from the sidelines opened my eyes to see what I couldn't see before.” Bandu says what kept her strong during her recovery journey was her faith and the support of her family, friends and teammates. “I'm a very spiritual person so I fell back on the word of God and that kept me pushing. I also have a very good support system, my friends and family helped me a lot.” She says putting on the Wits dress again after a long wait was everything she wanted it to be, as she was hungry to showcase her talent again. “It has been a long time coming, I didn't really play much netball. I just wanted to go on that court and dominate. My hunger is just to go out there and play netball and enjoy every minute, I think that makes me different.” It was the “vibes” of Varsity Netball she missed the most, says Bandu. “Just being back in that environment, the atmosphere that Varsity Netball brings is amazing. I love the atmosphere, the crowd, and the two-point powerplay initiatives that they brought. It feels so electric playing at home, especially when there's a big crowd. We feed off their energy, everyone is rooting for us, so it's so amazing to be there to play on that stage again.” Bandu says her main goals for netball are clear. "If we go on that court and play as a unit and play every single game for each other, that will bring me great satisfaction. The season we would want to make the semi-finals … and individually it is to build steps into the national team. There are still smaller hurdles that I need to overcome before that can actually come to light.”

With the Varsity Netball 2026 semi-finals less than a week away (Monday, 21 September), the spotlight will fall on the players who must convert pressure into points. Defending champions NWU Eagles are up against UP-Tuks at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria (17:00), while UFS Kovsies take on UJ at the Callie Human Hall in Bloemfontein (19:00). With both NWU and Tuks boasting reliable shooters, every possession in the attacking third could prove important. For NWU, Sunel Smit has been the main scoring force this season, converting 255 of 306 attempts for an 83% success rate and contributing 17 power play goals. Andrya Joubert has provided valuable support, scoring 87 from 103 attempts at 84%. Tuks will rely on Skyla Eley who has scored 224 from 257 attempts, giving her an 87% success rate, while also registering 16 power play goals. Anke van Rensburg has converted 83% of her six attempts, while Lente Kroukamp sits on 18 from 23 (78%). The Stripe Generation will be without the services of Kamogelo Maseko who is on national duty at the Africa Netball Cup in Nairobi, Kenya. She scored 140 goals from 161 attempts, for a success rate of 87%. The other semi-final sees UJ take on five-time champions Kovsies. Accuracy could be a defining feature as the Free State team seeks to give coach Burta de Kock another title in her last outing with the team. UJ's Kubura Abubakar has been the most accurate shooter in this year’s competition, scoring 116 from 123 attempts at an impressive 94%. Shilo Berardeli has scored 78 from 102 at 76%. Cornelia Mupenda has converted six of seven attempts (86%) and Neo Mosweu 10 from 15 (67%). The Orange Army will have to do without their highest scorer, Owethu Ngubane, in the goal circle (133 from 146 attempts). She is also in Nairobi representing the Proteas. For Kovsies, Mari du Raan has scored 148 from 165 attempts at 90%, including 10 power play goals. Bianca Lubbe has added 140 from 159 at 88%, with 12 power play goals. Marianne Louw has converted 42 from 61 (69%), while Elri Groenewald has scored 17 from 27 (63%). Fixtures HERE. Tickets HERE.

Malinga Mdodada is not your typical defender. Strong in the tackle and dependable at the back, the Gugulethu-born footballer also has the energy to cover almost every blade of grass, earning him opportunities to move further forward and influence the game from midfield. For the past two seasons, Malinga has been a key figure in the UWC Varsity Football campaign. While his primary responsibility is to defend, he has also developed a reputation for scoring goals, particularly with his aerial ability. His impressive work rate has persuaded the coaching staff to give him greater freedom in the middle of the park, where he can roam and contribute to both defence and attack. He is pleased with the team's progress this season, particularly its strong start. “Our first five games, we were doing well because we did not lose any of our games, and we were in a good position on the table. But we are not there yet. We are also not at our best as a team,” he said. Malinga brings valuable experience to the UWC squad, having played in the Motsepe ABC League for clubs such as Ikapa Sporting and the now-defunct Zizwe United. That experience has taught him to remain composed when the pressure is high. With UWC now sitting fourth on the Varsity Football table, he knows there is little room for error. The upcoming clash against UFS has taken on the importance of a final, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. “Now we find ourselves in a crucial position, number four on the table, so we must win our upcoming game against UFS. It is like we are playing a final. Whoever wins will secure Varsity Football semi-finals. Varsity Football is a different football environment. It is very competitive and difficult,” he said. Mdodada has experienced that pressure before. He remembers the 2024 campaign, when almost every match felt like a must-win encounter. For him, taking the team to the next level requires discipline, hard work and, above all, trust in the coaching plan. His journey with UWC has brought its share of highs and lows. Motivated by his teammates and coaching staff, Mdodada has enjoyed victories both at home and away, while also experiencing the disappointments that come with competitive football. He believes the team's improvement comes from the players' willingness to motivate one another and constantly remind themselves of why they play the game. “We motivate each other by asking ourselves: Why am I playing football, and who am I playing for? Once you find the answers to these questions, they can motivate you and remind you why you are here,” he explained. For Mdodada, those questions go beyond the Varsity Football campaign. The ultimate ambition is to play professional football, and the 2026 Varsity Football season is another important step towards achieving that dream. Mdodada believes every player hoping to reach the professional level must treat every training session and match as an opportunity to improve. He sees Varsity Football as a platform that can prepare young footballers for the demands of the professional game. For now, his focus is firmly on helping UWC reach the semi-finals. But the bigger picture remains clear: work harder, stay focused and give his best every day. For a defender who has already shown he can do much more than simply protect the goal, Mdodada's journey is one to watch. Fixtures: HERE Tickets: HERE By: Phiri Cawe.

UJ continue to set the pace in Varsity Football after maintaining their unbeaten record with a 2-0 victory over UWC at UJ Soweto Stadium, while Wits strengthened their position in the race for the top spots with a 2-0 win over TUT at Wits Stadium. Defending champions UFS kept their title defence on track with a convincing 3-0 victory over DUT, while UP-Tuks also claimed maximum points with a 3-0 win over UL at Tuks Stadium. With the leading sides continuing to collect valuable points, the battle for the semi-final places is heating up as the Varsity Football campaign reaches a crucial stage. Here are the players who made the biggest impact in their respective matches. Lwando Mvinjana (Wits) One of his few games for Wits in the goal box, Lwando Mvinjana kept his side in the tough contest against an attacking TUT. His saves were on target and kept a clear eye on the game without risking loose goals. In this crucial fixture, he, alongside a strong Wits defense, he was able to keep a clear sheet even if it meant a lot of acrobatic saves. Sachile Nyathi (UFS) Big, fast, physical and full of skill. He wreaked havoc down the left in the first half before causing DUT plenty of problems on the right after the break. Matome Rangata (UP-Tuks) Tuks explosive winger established himself as a threat and a player to watch whenever the Stripe Generation takes to field. Rangata was a thorn to UL defence with deadly runs and cheeky feet on the left wing, eliminating players, creating chances and breaking Turfies defensive lines. In a much needed win for Tuks, Rangata was in the thick of things displaying man of the of the match performance and scoring a sensational free kick to open the scoring. Making himself constant threat to opposition. Moraka Mathidza (UJ) His awareness and skillful maneuvers at the back have made him one of the best left backs in the Varsity Football tournament this year. Mathidza kept the UWC strikers at bay, dispossessing each contested ball in his half. Though he did not win the FNB Player of the Match at the end of the game, Mathidza has continued to showcase his calm, but lethal defensive play for the Orange Army. Fixtures: HERE Tickets: HERE

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.

UP-Tuks made full use of home ground advantage when they caused an upset victory over log leaders UJ in round 6 of Varsity Netball 2026 at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria. Maties held off a determined CUT for a close victory. Five-time champions UFS Kovsies and defending champions beat Madibaz and Wits respectively. MADIBAZ 36 – 67 UFS KOVSIES UFS Kovsies scored a commanding 67-36 victory over Madibaz as they continue their fight for a semi-final spot. As anticipated, Kovsies started strongly and kept the scoreboard ticking over. Their opponents slowly got in on the action, chasing the five-time champions. Burta de Kock’s charges called their power play but missed two attempts which Madibaz capitalised on. Kovsies enjoyed a 21-14 lead after the opening quarter. In the next 15 minutes, the team from Bloemfontein stretched the gap to 36-19 at half-time. Bianca Lubbe found her mojo in the Kovsies goal circle, while Madibaz struggled to keep up with Kovsies’ attack. It was tough going for the Gqeberha outfit in the third quarter. Leila Nel tried to give Kovsies a run for their money, but it did not last long. Reratilwe Letsoalo kept things tight at the back for Kovsies, making two crucial intercepts to maintain their healthy lead, 48-28. Madibaz called their power play late in the last 15 minutes of the match, but it was Kovsies who capitalised courtesy of Mari Du Raan’s accuracy in the goal circle. It remained a one-sided affair for most of the last quarter with the five-time Varsity Netball champions walking away with an imposing 67-36 victory. Quarter scores: 14-21|19-36|28-48|36-67 Player of the match: Elri Groenewald (UFS Kovsies) 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. 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. UP-TUKS 50 – 44 UJ UP-Tuks scored a much-needed 50-44 victory over front-runners UJ as the race for the top four spots intensifies. It was UJ’s first loss of this year’s competition. The combination of Skyla Eley and Kamogelo Maseko in the goal circle gave Tuks a blistering start to the match as they raced to a 7-1 lead within the opening five minutes. Player of the match Phophi Nematangari also pulled of several intercepts before UJ launched a comeback to see the first quarter score settle at 10-9. In the second quarter, the high tempo continued with both sides keeping the intensity and discipline. The Stripe Generation managed to do just enough to stay ahead of the Orange Army at the half-time break, 23-21. The home side dominated the third quarter, but UJ capitalised on the power play to stay in contention. The Stripe Generation extended their lead to six goals heading into the last quarter thanks to the sensational attacking duo of Maseko and Kyla Dames. The scoreboard read 37-31 in favour of Tuks. In the last 15 minutes of the encounter, both sides earned four goals from the last power play of the match. In the end, Tuks did enough to keep their noses in front and to collect maximum points with a 50–44 victory. Quarter scores: 10-9|23-21|37-31|50-44 Player of the match: Phophi Nematangari (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. 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. NWU EAGLES 60 – 48 WITS NWU Eagles had to shift to a higher gear to beat Wits 60- 48 in the end. The opening quarter saw end-to-end action as both sides threw everything at each other. Wits were the first to register points on the scoreboard, but the defending champions fought back to make it 12-11 at the end of the period of play. Despite trailing, the Johannesburg-based team remained motivated and took the fight to the Eagles in the second quarter. NWU, however, maintained solid form and remained consistent as they extended their lead to 27-22 at half-time. NWU remained in the driving seat throughout the third quarter. Both teams managed to get two goals each in the first power play of the match. But Wits struggled to keep up with the Potchefstroom-based side as they widened the margin to 41-35. The last 15 minutes belonged to the Eagles, proving why they are the champions. NWU netted four goals in the last power play to earn a 60-48 victory. Quarter scores: 12-11|27-22|41-35|60-48 Player of the match: Giada Prinsloo (Wits) 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. 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. CUT 50 – 52 MATIES Maties had to dig deep to seal a narrow 52-50 victory over newcomers CUT. It was only their second victory of this year’s competition. Maties started strong, capitalising on CUT’s errors and forcing turnovers. Lize Rossouw orchestrated proceedings in the centre court, allowing her side to feed goal shooter Iselle Acker. A comfortable 18-9 lead in favour of the Stellenbosch outfit set the tone at the end of the first quarter. CUT was no walkover as they returned with fresh energy, fighting to reduce the margin. The newcomers managed to close the gap, but the Maroon Machine still took the half-time lead at 28-22. CUT’s Keletso Gontho was in the thick of things, displaying resilience and consistency to pile pressure on Maties in the third quarter. The Bloemfontein side scored four goals in the power play and closed the gap to within one point, 38-37, at the end of the third quarter. It was all to play for in the last 15 minutes, with both sides locked at 39-all with 12 minutes left to play and the last power play still to come. CUT put up a tremendous fight, leading in the dying minutes, only for Maties to sneak in and grab a 52-50 victory. Quarter scores: 9-18|22-28|37-38|50-52 Player of the match: Thandolwethu Madime (CUT) 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. 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.

For Maties player Thabisa Yekani, the journey has always been about more than what happens on the court. From starting the sport at just seven years old to now representing the Maroon Machine in Varsity Netball, Yekani’s journey has been shaped by passion, faith and the unwavering support of her family. Yekani says when she discovered netball, the sport immediately captured her imagination through its energy, movement and teamwork. “I started netball back in 2011, when I was 7 years old. And what drew me in was just the energy of the game, the movement, the teamwork, the way everyone has a role to play. Over the years, what's kept me passionate is honestly a mix of faith and love for the game. “Prayer has been my biggest anchor through this whole journey, through good seasons and hard ones. Netball has never just been a sport for me, it's been a constant. Through school, growing up, and now balancing it with university, it's remained something that grounds me and brings me joy.” At the centre of Yekani’s journey has been her mother, whom she credits as her biggest inspiration both on and off the court. “She's been there since day one, supporting me through every training session, every game, every setback. What motivates me about her is her work ethic, the sacrifices she's made and her belief in me. Watching how she carries herself pushes me to want to give my best, not just in netball but in everything I do.” Away from the court, Yekani is also focused on her academic ambitions. She is currently completing her Honours Degree in Psychology, balancing the demands of university with life as a student-athlete. “It takes a lot of discipline, early mornings, tight scheduling, and knowing what to prioritise. It also takes a lot of faith and prayer to stay grounded.” Yekani draws inspiration from English international netball player Funmi Fadoju, admiring her defensive instincts, athleticism and personality. “What I admire most about her game is her interception ability. She has this incredible instinct for reading the play and timing her interceptions perfectly, which is honestly one of my favourite things to watch in netball. She's also managed to defy her height in a position where most defenders are much taller, and her vertical leap and sharpness make up for that in such an exciting way. “Beyond her skill, she just seems like such a friendly, vibey person, someone who brings good energy to her team and genuinely enjoys the game. That combination of talent and personality is what makes her someone I really look up to.” While she continues to develop her game and education as a Varsity Netball player, Yekani has one dream firmly in sight – representing South Africa. “When I look ahead, my biggest dream is to one day wear the green and gold for South Africa. That's the goal I hold onto and pray towards. Whatever steps come before that are part of God's plan for this journey. I just want to keep working hard, stay faithful, and trust that the opportunities will come.” Fixtures HERE. Tickets HERE. By: Ayanda Frances Felem