Tuks shock unbeaten UJ while Maties survive close call v CUT in Varsity Netball

UP-Tuks made full use of home-ground advantage by claiming an upset victory over log leaders UJ in round 6 of Varsity Netball 2026 at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria. Maties held off a determined CUT for a close victory, while five-time champions UFS Kovsies and defending champions beat Madibaz and Wits, respectively.

MADIBAZ 36 – 67 UFS KOVSIES

UFS Kovsies scored a commanding 67-36 victory over Madibaz as they continue their fight for a semifinal spot.

As anticipated, Kovsies started strongly and kept the scoreboard ticking over. Their opponents slowly got in on the action, chasing the five-time champions.

Burta de Kock’s charges called their power play but missed two attempts, which Madibaz capitalised on. Kovsies enjoyed a 21-14 lead after the opening quarter.

In the next 15 minutes, the team from Bloemfontein stretched the gap to 36-19 at halftime. Bianca Lubbe found her mojo in the Kovsies goal circle, while Madibaz struggled to keep up with Kovsies’ attack.

It was tough going for the Gqeberha outfit in the third quarter. Leila Nel tried to give Kovsies a run for their money, but it did not last long. Reratilwe Letsoalo kept things tight at the back for Kovsies, making two crucial intercepts to maintain their healthy lead, 48-28.

Madibaz called their power play late in the last 15 minutes of the match, but it was Kovsies who capitalised courtesy of Mari du Raan’s accuracy in the goal circle.

It remained a one-sided affair for most of the last quarter, with the five-time Varsity Netball champions walking away with an imposing 67-36 victory.

Quarter scores: 14-21|19-36|28-48|36-67

Player of the match: Elri Groenewald (UFS Kovsies)

Madibaz: Bronwyn Ann Goosen, Edon Snyman, Hanniska van Vuuren, Inganathi Sapepa, Jessica Strydom, Juanita van Tonder, Keagile Magadia, Leila Nel, Neviera Gunn, Ogiyonke Lilitha Mabani, Simone Louw, Yazi Dumbela.

UFS Kovsies: Liame de Lange, Mari Du Raan, Megan Erasmus, Keevy-Ann Fourie, Elri Groenewald, Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo, Marianne Louw, Bianca Lubbe, Thandolwethu Mokoena, Siyamthanda Sambo, Lisa vana Vuuren, Janie Visser.

UP-TUKS 50 – 44 UJ

UP-Tuks scored a much-needed 50-44 victory over front-runners UJ as the race for the top four spots intensifies. It was UJ’s first loss of this year’s competition.

The combination of Skyla Eley and Kamogelo Maseko in the goal circle gave Tuks a blistering start to the match as they raced to a 7-1 lead within the opening five minutes. Player of the match Phophi Nematangari also pulled off several intercepts before UJ launched a comeback to see the first quarter score settle at 10-9.

In the second quarter, the high tempo continued with both sides keeping the intensity and discipline. The Stripe Generation managed to do just enough to stay ahead of the Orange Army at the halftime break, 23-21.

The home side dominated the third quarter, but UJ capitalised on the power play to stay in contention. The Stripe Generation extended their lead to six goals heading into the last quarter thanks to the sensational attacking duo of Maseko and Kyla Dames. The scoreboard read 37-31 in favour of Tuks.

In the last 15 minutes of the encounter, both sides earned four goals from the last power play of the match. In the end, Tuks did enough to keep their noses in front and to collect maximum points with a 50–44 victory.

Quarter scores: 10-9|23-21|37-31|50-44

Player of the match: Phophi Nematangari (UP-Tuks)

UP-Tuks: Anke van Rensburg, Kayla Venancio, Kiara van Eeden, Kimberly Amiras, Kristi Koekemoer, Kyla Dames, Lente Kroukamp, Luca Keun, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa, Skyla Eley, Phophi Nematangari, Kamogelo Maseko.

UJ: Alexandra Meimaris, Amara Agbai, Boitumelo Mahloko, Cornelia Mupenda, Georgia Leppan, Neo Mosweu, Kadijat Abubakar, Kamogelo Motsepe, Sesandile Ngubane, Shiloh Berardelli, Tarle Mathe, Suné Barnard.

NWU EAGLES 60 – 48 WITS

NWU Eagles had to shift to a higher gear to beat Wits 60-48 in their encounter.

The opening quarter saw end-to-end action as both sides threw everything at each other. Wits were the first to register points on the scoreboard, but the defending champions fought back to make it 12-11 at the end of the period of play.

Despite trailing, the Johannesburg-based team remained motivated and took the fight to the Eagles in the second quarter. NWU, however, maintained solid form and remained consistent as they extended their lead to 27-22 at halftime.

NWU remained in the driving seat throughout the third quarter. Both teams managed to get two goals each in the first power play of the match. But Wits struggled to keep up with the Potchefstroom-based side as they widened the margin to 41-35.

The last 15 minutes belonged to the Eagles, proving why they are the champions. NWU netted four goals in the last power play to earn a 60-48 victory.

Quarter scores: 12-11|27-22|41-35|60-48

Player of the match: Giada Prinsloo (Wits)

NWU Eagles: Christi-Marie Coetzee, Reze Coetzer, Njabulo Hlophe, Andrya Joubert, Lethabo Komane, Jaime Matfield, Amori Matthee, Makgoshi Priscilla Mogashoa, Amia Roux, Sunel Smith, Liané van Lochem, Vivian Venancio.

Wits: Alix Horn, Ametisse Bakenga Bandu, Amy Horn, Bophelo Mofokeng, Giada Prinsloo, Keira Pienaar, Kekeletso Molotsi, Mignon Mentz, Oratile Mokone, Philasande Ntuli, Shiàne Fouché, Zanele Soviya.

CUT 50 – 52 MATIES

Maties had to dig deep to seal a narrow 52-50 victory over newcomers CUT. It was only their second victory of this year’s competition.

Maties started strong, capitalising on CUT’s errors and forcing turnovers. Lize Rossouw orchestrated proceedings in the centre court, allowing her side to feed goal shooter Iselle Acker. A comfortable 18-9 lead in favour of the Stellenbosch outfit set the tone at the end of the first quarter.

CUT was no walkover as they returned with fresh energy, fighting to reduce the margin. The newcomers managed to close the gap, but the Maroon Machine still took the halftime lead at 28-22.

CUT’s Keletso Gontho was in the thick of things, displaying resilience and consistency to pile pressure on Maties in the third quarter. The Bloemfontein side scored four goals in the power play and closed the gap to within one point, 38-37, at the end of the third quarter.

It was all to play for in the last 15 minutes, with both sides locked at 39-all with 12 minutes left to play and the last power play still to come. CUT put up a tremendous fight, leading in the dying minutes, only for Maties to sneak in and grab a 52-50 victory.

Quarter scores: 9-18|22-28|37-38|50-52

Player of the match: Thandolwethu Madime (CUT)

CUT: Zandria Bastone, Tshepiso Choeu, Keletso Gontho, Nomthandazo Hluti, Thandeka Ronica Lefuma, Thandolwethu Madime, Tshegofatso Makoko, Zeluleko Ntombela, Nena Radebe, Dimpho Faith Totola, Karla Victor, Sisabonga Xentsa.

Maties: Bianca Odendaal, Cara Els, Chris-Marie Marx, Hannah Kriel, Iselle Acker, Kristen McGregor, Lara Ehlers, Lisa Ingwersen, Lize Rossouw, Thabisa Yekani, Vinah Mokgatle, Zahrah Noah.