BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Sonoblomo qualified for the Division 2 semifinals of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) for the first time, rewarding their impressive form in the 2026 edition. They finished Power Week 2 in third place on the Division 2 log to secure their playoff spot.
This was a dramatic improvement since their maiden season in 2023, when they ended in seventh place. In both 2024 and 2025, they finished in sixth place.
After a slow start in Power Week 1, they managed to dust off the cobwebs and record an impressive four-match winning streak in the Power Week 2 series played at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg from 22 to 31 May.
Their stunning performance briefly propelled them to second place on the TNL log standings before they ultimately finished third in Power Week 2. The Free State side’s remarkable improvement was further reflected in their fighting spirit during a high-stakes fixture against the Western Cape Tornado, despite losing 59 – 52. Victory would have lifted them above third place in the Division 2 standings.
The Tornado finished at the helm in Division 2, the Baobabs secured second place, while the Queens claimed the fourth spot.

The Sonoblomo will face off against the Baobabs in one semifinal, while the Tornado take on the Queens in the other. The losers in the semifinals will not be eliminated outright; they will move on to play in the third and fourth-place classification match to determine their final ranking. The champions of the Division 2 final will earn the right to face the last-placed team of Division 1 (the Kingdom Stars) in a promotion or relegation playoff match. The semifinals and finals in both Division 1 and Division 2 are to take place during Power Week 3 at Rembrandt Hall at the University of Pretoria (UP), from 12 to 15 June.
Also read: Sonoblomo pursuing promotion to SA netball premier division