BLOEMFONTEIN: The Varsity Netball tournament is headed for a crucial phase with powerhouses tightening their grip as they target semifinal berths set for 21 September. On the home front, the University of the Free State (UFS) is under immense pressure to secure a top-four slot while the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, continue the fight to retain their status in the competition.
The Kovsies find themselves under pressure following back-to-back losses to the undefeated University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the North-West University (NWU) Eagles, the defending champions.

The UFS is currently in fourth position on the log with 13 points, with the additional pressure of retaining their reputation as five-time champions. A semifinal slot would bring the Kovsies a step closer in their quest to win a sixth title and become the most successful of the top-seeded eight teams in the country’s premier university competition.

A sixth title for the Kovsies would be the perfect send-off for their longest-serving and respected South African and international coach, Burta de Kock. She achieved the milestone of reaching her sixth final with the team last year and guided the side to five tournament titles, in: 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021 and 2024.

The runner-up of last year’s edition the Varsity Netball, the Kovsies aim for victories in their two crucial upcoming matches, against the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and a derby against the CUT on 13 and 14 September, respectively. Favourites to reach the semifinal include table-toppers UJ, with 20 points, the Eagles in second place (16 points) and the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) in third position (14 points).

The Martha Mosoahle-Samm-led CUT secured a first win after beating Madibaz 41 – 36 in round four of the competition and she will be striving to collect points against the UFS and Stellenbosch University.