BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Crinums closed out the Telkom Netball League group stage unbeaten with a 47-37 victory over the Golden Fireballs, confirming their semi-final pole position.

The unbeatable Crinums continued their winning streak at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena on Saturday 30 May.

The match was a repeat of the 2025 final, and both teams were looking to strengthen their credentials ahead of the playoffs.

The Crinums made an immediate statement as goalkeeper Liame de Lange picked up a loose ball from the Fireballs shooting circle and after converting their own centre pass to go two goals up, but the Fireballs were quick to get onto the scoreboard through goal shooter Tinita van Dyk.

The Crinums defensive unit continued to suffocate the Fireballs’ attack, with centre Refiloe Nketsa adding another intercept as the Fireballs battled to progress the ball.

Crinums goal attack Xandri Fourie and Fireballs goal attack Nonsikelelo Mazibuko converted two-pointers for their sides, but the Crinums still held a comfortable 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Mistakes punished

The Crinums picked up where they left off in the second quarter, with Nketsa producing another mid-court intercept. Although that turnover was not converted, the Fireballs briefly found some momentum and reduced the gap to four goals.

However, their resurgence was short-lived as the shooting combination of Mazibuko and Van Dyk fumbled opportunities in the circle. The mistakes were punished by Crinums, who capitalised ruthlessly to stretch the lead to eight goals. 

Defensively, the Crinums continued to impose themselves across the court, forcing the Fireballs to rely on lengthy cross-court passes to get the ball in the circle.

Mupenda continued to produce valuable turnovers, but the Fireballs were still unable to convert the chances, allowing the Crinums to maintain control and head into the halftime break with a 10-goal advantage.

Standing strong

The Fireballs made an encouraging start to the third quarter, reducing the deficit to seven goals. As the quarter progressed the battle became an intercept contest, with goalkeeper Ametisse Bandu getting a turnover to keep the Fireballs within touching distance.

Her efforts helped reduce the margin to six goals midway through the quarter. However, a series of unforced breaking infringements prevented the Fireballs from sustaining their momentum. 

Matters became even more difficult with Bandu being penalised for repossession, allowing the Crinums to restore their 10-goal lead. Mazibuko and goal attack Georgia Leppan battled to assert themselves in the shooting circle as the Fireballs’ conversion struggles continued.

Pretorius was influential at the back, winning the ball and throwing herself into two consecutive intercepts to help the Crinums extend the lead to 12 goals. Mazibuko struck a two-pointer, but the Fireballs still had to overturn a 13-goal deficit heading into the final quarter.

Baobabs march on

The Fireballs came out with greater purpose in the fourth quarter and enjoyed their most productive spell of the encounter. Despite trailing by 11 goals, they took control of the early exchanges and were leading the quarter 6-4 halfway through, as their attacking combinations finally began to gel.

Mazibuko was consistent under the post and did well to convert most of the turnovers. The momentum shift caused several errors from the Crinums, who were suddenly guilty of misplaced passes in their goal third.

A defensive super-shot period only saw the Crinums score a single shot as the Free State side recorded a 47-37 win, keeping their unbeaten record intact. 

In Division 2, with a place in the semi-finals on the line, the Limpopo Baobabs knew victory was non-negotiable when they played against the Mpumalanga Sunbirds. In the crucial encounter, the Baobabs rose to the occasion and secured a late 48-46 victory. 

Although Free State Sonoblomo managed to disrupt the Western Cape Tornados’ flow and slow their attacking progress, they continued to be let down by unforced errors.

Despite Sonoblomo’s determined resistance, led by wing defense Lisa Van Vuuren and goalkeeper Keely-Ann Fourie, the Tornados continued to find success through excellent connection between Kriel, goal attack Visser and centre Jani Bergh.

The Tornados ultimately secured a 59-5s2 victory. 

All the results of 30 May:

• Aloes 55-53 Zambezi Eagles
• Queens 52-51 Comets
• Sonoblomo 52-59 Tornados
• Jaguars 45-56 Stings
• Crinums 47-37 Fireballs
• Sunbirds 46-48 Baobabs
• Zambezi 65-43 Eagles Stars

Two games are scheduled for Sunday (31 May): Southern Stings vs Zambezi Eagles at 11:00 and Tshukudu vs Tornados at 13:00.

The next Telkom League Power Week will be from Friday 12 to Sunday 15 June.