The 2024 Varsity Netball tournament kicked off in exhilarating fashion with the first bumper weekend at the Wits Sports Hall in Johannesburg on Sunday, September 1.
UP TUKS 96 – 9 TUT
Defending champions UP Tuks were in fine form as they blew away their Tshwane rivals TUT in a game that was a fairly one-sided affair throughout. Tuks took control of the match from the onset, playing at a high intensity that TUT struggled to keep up with. TUT failed to create enough of a threat to their opponent’s defence, who were comfortably in transitioning rapidly to attack. Things went from bad to worse for the challengers when they had ten goals deducted from their final score (19) for failing to include a minimum of two players from their designated transformation group in their team.
Quarter Scores: 23-4 | 55-7 | 74-12 | 96-9 (after ten points deducted). FNB Player of the match: Kamogelo Maseko (UP Tuks)
UJ 46 – 38 Maties
Last year’s runner-up UJ had to put in a strong performance in the last 15 minutes of their match against Maties to beat the 2022 winners. The game was a thriller with very little to tell between the two teams with the Maroon Machine edging out the Orange Army 11-10 at the end of the first quarter. The final quarter saw a sudden resurgence from the Orange Army, who were relentless as they got away from the Maroon Machine on the scoreboard, showing more energy with much of the supporters getting behind them.
Quarter Scores: 10-11 | 24-21 | 32-30 | 46-38 FNB Player of the match: Boitumelo Mahloko (UJ)
NWU 85 – 49 Madibaz
NWU were fearless in their performance against Madibaz with an emphatic victory over the team from Gqeberha. The Potchefstroom-based team looked up for the battle mentally and physically, seeing them executing their combinations well inside the first quarter. The Madibaz were however also able to put together a couple passages of good play. At the close of the first quarter, NWU managed to build up a 25-12 lead. The final period of play was a much tighter affair with Madibaz putting in their best performance of the game. The rotation of players seemed to rejuvenate them but NWU still outscored them by three goals in the final 15 minutes.
Quarter Scores: 25-12 | 43-23 | 66-33 | 85-49 FNB Player of the match: Sunel Smit (NWU)
UFS Kovsies 78 – 33 Wits
A highly experienced UFS Kovsies team took on a young Wits side in the 2024 Varsity Netball opener and comfortably came out on top. The game saw Kovsies off to a flying start, converting their opportunities well in the opening exchanges. Wits showed their lack of experience, with a few loose passes letting them down as they tried to build. The first quarter concluded with Kovsies enjoying a 10 goal lead. Wits looked more balanced defensively in the third quarter but lacked a real threat on attack. The final quarter was a fantastic display from both teams but the discipline shown by Kovsies was phenomenal, as they closed the game off with a comfortable victory.
Quarter Scores: 16-6 | 43-13 | 60-24 | 78-33 FNB Player of the match: Rolene Streutker (UFS Kovsies)
Courtesy Varsity Sports
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