MAHIKENG – Third time is the charm for the University of Johannesburg (UJ) women’s netball side after they won their maiden Varsity Netball title on their third appearance in the final. The Orange Army dethroned the defending champions North-West University (NWU) Eagles to claim the coveted crown in the match played at the Great Hall in Mahikeng last night. The newly crowned champions won 56-44 in an adrenaline-pumping contest, ending NWU’s dream of a fourth title.

The thrilling victory served as the ultimate reward for the Bongiwe Msomi-led side after they survived a gruelling extra-time semifinal against last year’s runners-up and five-time winners, the University of the Free State (UFS) Kovsies (57-54), to reach the final. The Orange Army put on a masterclass of strong defence and clinical shooting to deny the NWU Eagles back-to-back crowns right in front of their home crowd in Mahikeng.

Triumphant UJ unleashed their full potential against the determined Eagles to atone for back-to-back heartbreaking defeats in the previous two finals — against the Kovsies in 2024 and UP-Tuks in extra time in 2023. UFS triumphed 58-55 while UP-Tuks defeated UJ 63-61.

With a clear tactical approach and high-tempo play, UJ orchestrated the decisive surge in the third quarter. Their shooters converted the opportunities created, making it difficult for NWU to maintain possession and find their usual attacking rhythm. The Orange Army ended the third quarter leading comfortably 46-30.

UJ’s constant pressure forced the defending champions into errors as they succumbed in the final quarter, losing 56-44. The Orange Army have officially cemented its status as a premier South African netball powerhouse.

Of the eight university teams that feature regularly in the top flight of the competition, the dominant forces are UFS with five titles and NWU and UP-Tuks with three each, while Stellenbosch University has won it once, in 2022.

Also read: NWU Eagles and UJ fired up for Varsity Netball glory in grand finale