PRETORIA – There were few surprises at the Rembrandt Hall yesterday (7 September) as the fourth round of Varsity Netball 2025 unfolded largely as expected, with defending champions UFS Kovsies delivering a ruthless performance against newcomers Varsity College and log leaders UJ maintaining their perfect start to the season.
The Johannesburg-based side claimed their fourth consecutive victory with a commanding 54-32 triumph over local rivals Wits, whilst Kovsies served notice of their title defence credentials with a stunning 86-13 demolition of Varsity College. Elsewhere, NWU claimed a morale-boosting 67-54 victory over struggling UP-Tuks, and Maties secured a solid 44-29 win against Madibaz.
NWU Eagles soar past struggling Tuks
UP-TUKS 54 – NWU 67
NWU Eagles delivered an emphatic performance to hand UP-Tuks their third defeat of what is proving to be a disappointing campaign. The Potchefstroom outfit established early dominance and never relinquished control despite a spirited late rally from the hosts.
The visitors made their intentions clear from the opening whistle, racing to a commanding 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. With shooter Sunel Smit in devastating form and the attack operating with clinical precision, the Eagles continued their onslaught in the second period.
Despite tactical adjustments from Tuks coach Amanda Mynhardt – who moved Marichelle Visagie into the goal circle and deployed captain Caroline Paul at centre – the home side found themselves trailing 36-22 at the interval.
The third quarter proved decisive as NWU stretched their advantage to 52-35, capitalising on numerous unforced errors from an increasingly desperate Tuks side. Although the Stripe Generation mounted a late charge, netting seven consecutive goals in the final quarter, it proved insufficient as the Eagles held firm for a morale-boosting victory.
Player of the Match: Christi-Mari Coetzee (NWU)
Quarter Scores: 11-21, 22-36, 35-52, 54-67
Kovsies demolish Varsity College in record victory
UFS KOVSIES 86 – VARSITY COLLEGE 13
Defending champions UFS Kovsies served emphatic notice of their title credentials with a record-breaking 73-goal victory over tournament newcomers Varsity College in what proved to be the most one-sided encounter of the competition.
The Bloemfontein-based side, led by the outstanding Mari du Raan who stepped seamlessly into the considerable boots of Rolene Streutker, were utterly relentless from the opening whistle. Racing to a 28-3 lead after the first quarter, Kovsies demonstrated the gulf in class between the defending champions and the tournament debutants.
Du Raan proved unstoppable in the goal circle, whilst Burta De Kock’s side capitalised on both power plays to extend their lead to 44-7 at the interval. The onslaught continued throughout the third quarter as Varsity College struggled to cope with the intensity and clinical finishing of their illustrious opponents.
The final quarter brought no respite for the beleaguered newcomers as Kovsies added a further 28 goals to complete a victory that will surely rank amongst the most comprehensive in Varsity Netball history.
Player of the Match: Mari du Raan (UFS Kovsies)
Quarter Scores: 28-3, 44-7, 58-10, 86-13
Maties edge past Madibaz in hard-fought encounter
MATIES 44 – MADIBAZ 29
Maties rediscovered their rhythm with a convincing 15-goal victory over a Madibaz side whose early-season promise appears to be waning following this disappointing reverse.
The opening exchanges proved as tight as anticipated, with the Maroon Machine edging ahead 9-6 after a closely-contested first quarter. The turning point arrived in the second period when Madibaz suffered a significant blow as key player Kelly du Toit succumbed to an ankle injury.
Maties capitalised ruthlessly on their opponents’ misfortune, with their superior pace in transition proving decisive as they extended their advantage to 20-13 at the break. The Stellenbosch side continued to press home their advantage in the third quarter, with Hannah Kriel’s deadly shooting – expertly supplied from the circle’s edge – proving the catalyst for a commanding 31-21 lead.
The final quarter saw Maties maintain their composure, with solid defensive work from Bianca Odendaal and Syntiche Kabuya ensuring there would be no late drama despite Madibaz’s determined efforts.
Player of the Match: Hannah Kriel (Maties)
Quarter Scores: 9-6, 20-13, 31-21, 44-29
UJ Claim Johannesburg Derby Bragging Rights
WITS 32 – UJ 54
UJ maintained their perfect start to the season with a comprehensive victory over city rivals Wits in the evening’s final encounter, extending their winning streak to four matches and cementing their position as serious title contenders.
Despite a competitive opening quarter that saw the Orange Army hold just a slender 12-9 advantage, Bongi Msomi’s charges gradually asserted their authority as the match progressed.
The second quarter proved pivotal as UJ began to pull away, with outstanding performances from goal defence Cornelia Mupenda and the lethal striking partnership of Kubura Abubakar and Owethu Sesandile Ngubane helping establish a 22-16 half-time lead.
Wits struggled to maintain momentum after the break as UJ’s superior ball retention and devastating intercepts took their toll. The third quarter saw the visitors extend their advantage to a commanding 42-19, effectively ending the contest as a competitive spectacle.
UJ limited their errors in the final period and capitalised fully on the power play to seal a victory that confirms their status as the team to beat in this year’s competition.
Player of the Match: Cornelia Mupenda (UJ)
Quarter Scores: 9-12, 16-22, 19-42, 32-54
You must be logged in to post a comment.