BLOEMFONTIEN – The Telkom Netball League (TNL) four-time champions, the Free State Crinums, renew their aspirations for a fifth title in this year’s competition, which will officially commence on Friday 24 April. The opening matches took place at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in KwaZulu-Natal, with 16 teams participating that include sides from all nine provinces.
The Crinums came short of claiming their fifth title last year after losing 40 – 47 to the Golden Fireballs in the final.
The Free Staters’ inability to convert goals was a factor in the closely contested final.
Spearheaded by head coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm, one of the country’s illustrious coaches, the team has changed strategy by roping in vastly experienced superstar Karla Pretorius in their quest to claim South Africa’s premier netball title in 2026.
The towering Pretorius was part of the Crinum’s technical team last year and returns to play with a renewed energy. She has been instrumental as a star player in the Crinums past achievements.
Despite the loss in last year’s final, the Crinums made history by reaching their third consecutive final and was praised for their resilience, with coach Mosoahle-Samm highlighting the team’s hard work despite the unfortunate disciplinary issues in the final.
The Gauteng Jaguars boast a record of six titles, followed by the Crinums. However, the Free State side were the inaugural winners in 2014 and retained it in 2015 and 2016.
The games will be played in KwaZulu-Natal from 24 April to 2 May and will continue in Johannesburg at Ellis Park from 22 to 31 May.
This year’s final will take place from 12 to 15 June. The competition features the best provincial teams from across South Africa. Two international invitational sides include Malawi and Zimbabwe.
The Crinums squad is: Refiloe Nketsa, Karla Victor, Natasha Watson, Siyamthanda Sambo, Karla Pretorius, Elene Vosloo, Sizeka Adoons, Bianca Lubbe, Mienke Delport, Megan Erasmus, Maria Duran, Liamé De Lange, Xandri Fourie, Reratilwe Letsoalo and Kgomotso Sebetlele; with Mosoahle-Samm as head coach, Karin Venter as assistant coach and Zodwa Makhanya as manager.
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