BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Crinums’ great start in the 2026 Telkom Netball League (TNL) Division 1 campaign has them with the potential of reaching their seventh final. They underscored their intentions to reclaim South Africa’s premier netball championship by winning all fixtures with high scores in this tournament currently underway at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) – Steve Biko Campus in Durban.

Power Week 1 of the TNL competition started on 24 April and continues until 2 May. The Crinums are topping the log and remain the only undefeated team among the seven teams vying for this year’s title. Their onslaught saw four players walk away with the prestigious Player of the Match (PM) accolade for their outstanding performances. The emphatic wins include victories over arch-rivals and defending champions Gauteng Golden Fireballs (59 – 42), Eastern Cape Aloes (67 – 40), Kingdom Stars (54 – 34), and Southern Stings (53 – 44).

The Crinums’ Xandri Fourie was named Player of the Match for her pivotal role in the top-of-the-table showdown against the Fireballs, while celebrated star Karla Pretorius (née Mostert) earned Player of the Match recognition for her blend of experience in defense against the Aloes.

The pair of Bianca Lubbe and Liame De Lange were also on the podium for their impressive roles, inspiring the Crinums to emphatic victories over Kingdom Stars (54 – 34) and Southern Stings (53 – 44). The four-time champions have secured a series of clinical victories, most notably ending the Gauteng Golden Fireballs’ long unbeaten run.

As the second most decorated side in the history of the TNL, the Crinums entered the 2026 season with four titles (2014, 2015, 2016, 2024), trailing only the Gauteng Jaguars who boast five titles. The Free Staters, spearheaded by coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm, have displayed a ruthless strategy in multiple games of the opening series, potentially setting a record in the tournament’s opening phase.

A change in the game plan saw towering Pretorius (née Mostert) make a historic return to set the court ablaze in an ambitious quest to help the Crinums claim their fifth TNL title. She was part of the team that lost to the Fireballs in last year’s final.

The Western Cape Southern Stings are trailing the Crinums, while Gauteng sides Fireballs and Jaguars are in third and fourth positions, respectively.