The University of the Free State’s (UFS) women’s netball team, under the tutelage of influential coach Burta de Kock, is on the cusp of adding another chapter in the Varsity Netball history books – lifting one the most sought-after trophies in South Africa’s university sports scene for the fifth time. They will face off against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the final on Monday, 7 October.
The Kovsies prevailed in a semifinal outing, beating the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Tuks 68 – 62 on Monday, 30 September. This was the UFS’ second win in just a week, against UP-Tuks, following on 67 – 49 in round seven of the championship.
In turn, the UJ girls showed their hunger for victory, beating the North-West University (NWU) in a other semifinal tie – thus ensuring they are intact for the Varsity Netball trophy.
The stage is set for the grudge clash between the UJ and Kovsies, with the latter determined to capitalise by playing on their home turf – the Callie Human Hall on the UFS’ Bloemfontein campus.
Revenge is on the cards as the UFS team would want to avenge their previous loss of 46 – 51. The two finalists finished the tournament with a single loss apiece. The UJ’s only defeat was against the UP-Tuks (56 – 48) in round seven of the competition.
The Kovsies trio of Refiloe Nketsa, Liamé de Lange and Rolene Streutker are making history, playing in a second final of a prestigious tournament, and are hoping for another gold medal. They were instrumental in helping the Free State Crinums clinch their fourth Telkom Netball League (TNL) in June, beating the Gauteng Jaguars 47 – 46, under the guidance of Martha Mosoahle-Samm.
Also on the side of history is the duo of Khanyisa Chawane and Karla Pretorius, understudy coaches to veteran De Kock, who led both Kovsie and the Crinums to back-to-back titles. She guided the Kovsie team from 2014 to 2016, and the Crinums in 2013 and 2014.
A member of the World Netball Coaching Advisory Panel (CAP), De Kock wants her charges to be brutal in front of the net against the gutsy UJ in the adrenaline-pumping final on Monday. Her girls’ brutality is underscored with them finishing top of the table on 24 points and 233 goals Z the highest in the tournament overall.
“It is going to be a tall order against UJ. They have a tall and accurate shooter and good defensive players. But we have a game plan, and we are going hard into this final.
“It is the history these players know they can make; it is in our hands to play hard, fine tune our attack and shooting ability, and bull-doze with our defense. We are focusing on excellent performance besides a win at all cost,” said a determined De Kock.
