The Varsity Netball tournament is headed for a crucial phase with powerhouses tightening their grip as they target semi-final berths set for 21 September. The top-seeded eight universities teams will be action on Sunday and Monday (13 and 14 September) in Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria to decide the semifinals.

In round five matches played yesterday in Wits Sport Hall in Johannesburg, undefeated University of Johannesburg (UJ) consolidated their position beating five-times winners the University of the Free State 50-48 while title-holders, the North West University (NWU) Eagles beat debutant, Central University of Technology, Free State 60-37. The University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) recorded an effortless win, 62-39 against the Nelson Mandela University (NMU, Madibaz.

The Kovsies, last year’s runner-up is under immense pressure to secure a top-four following back-to-back losses that include UJ’s 50-40 yesterday in round five of the series of played at Wits Sport Hall in Johannesburg. UJ are chasing their maiden title, and their superb form with win over the defending champions and five-times winners inspires to them claiming the elusive crown.

Teams within the semi-final include table-toppers UJ with 20 points, the Eagles in second place on 16 points and the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) in third position with 14 points. UFS is currently in fourth position on the log with 13 points, with the additional pressure of retaining their reputation as five-time champions. They are being challenged by Wits University, currently in fifth place with 10 points – desperate for wins in upcoming matches against UP-Tuks and the Eagles.

A semi-final slot would bring UFS 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. The Kovsies are guaranteed a berth with victories in their two crucial upcoming matches against the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and a derby against debutants CUT on 13 and 14 September, respectively.

The Martha Mosoahle-Samm-led CUT secured their first win after beating Madibaz 41-36 in round four of the competition. However, they lost 37-60 to defending champions, the Eagles, in their round-five match played at the Wits Sport Hall on Sunday. She will be striving to collect points against her local opposition UFS and the Maties of Stellenbosch University. CUT survival is also depending on the results against Madibaz, still rotted bottom of the log without a win.

Also read: Kovsies cruise to victory, UJ maintains perfect record in Varsity Netball