Johannesburg eye unprecedented fifth straight National Champs title

Over the last four years, the Johannesburg Netball Association (JNA) has been asserting its dominance in the sport across the country.

Are you ready? 🥳
SA's biggest annual inter-district netball tournament - the SPAR National Netball Championships is heading to Stellenberg High School, Cape Town 6–11 August 2026! ❤️

👉 https://t.co/Ybc2MKJLO1#SPARNationalChamps #WeAreAllIn #EndGBVF #EndPeriodPoverty pic.twitter.com/qx0bKigtvu — Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) August 3, 2026

The JNA is the only region to have won the Spar Netball Championship senior title for a record four consecutive times.

Dr. Elsje Jordaan-led side is hoping to earn their record-extending in the 2026 edition of the competition set for 6-11 August 2026 at the Stellenberg High School in Bellville, Cape Town. Joburg A are one of 110 teams taking part this year from 52 regions in the country.

Coach Jordaan says she didn’t know that her team would be able to be at the top of the Championship podium for so many consecutive years.

“In my wildest dream, I never thought four times is even possible, to do it for the fifth time would be super special. Obviously, we are going to try our best to do it but winning is not the goal on its own. It is about the process of building the group. There are a lot of youngsters in the squad, exposing them to this pressure and exposing them to what is expected, then build them as a group. Is the fifth one in our focus? No, but we do want to play the best netball that we can. If that’s good enough to win it the fifth time that would be an absolute privilege,” says Jordaan.

The former Spar Baby Proteas coach understands that making their way to the top will not be an easy feat. Last year they lost their opening match to the Cape Winelands and finally won the title 52-51 after a closely contested final against Cape Town A.

“It was a rocky road to the final last year but I thought the two losses actually prepared us well for the semifinals. The girls got it, they understood what it is about. The A section is a beast, there is a lot of competition. We welcome the fact that they will put their best performances against us,” she explains.

The Joburg captain, Alex Meimaris, says the winning culture within their group is what is propels the team to wanting to climb the top of the podium. The midcourt player says she is determined to earn her third title with the team.

“Our biggest goal is to take the title for the fifth time. It would mean so much. I know it is going to be tough, there is a lot of fierce competition but we are going to respect our opponents and do our best. I have only been with this team for two years and have won two titles with the team, winning the third title would mean a lot. I think it’s our culture and everything that we stand for. Everyone has the same idea of what we want our team to look like and what we represent. A big part of it is the relationships that we have between players and coaches. It is a very safe environment,” explains Meimaris.

EXPERIENCED PLAYERS

Over the years JNA senior A has been boasted by a number of experienced players that has helped the team achieve. The likes of Owethu Ngubane, Tarle Mathe, Boitumelo Mahloko and Namibian international Cornelia Mupenda have been key in the titles that the team has won. However they will be without Ngubane and Mathe who have just returned from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with the Spar Proteas. Mupenda and Mahloko will not compete in the competition due to injury. Coach Jordaan admits that missing the experienced players has created a gap but she says she is happy to see the players that have been promoted from their Under-21 team get to perform on a bigger platform.

“We were very disappointed in losing a lot of players due to injury but that’s how it goes. That’s sport, people get injured and then it’s an opportunity of another player to step in and show what they are worth. I am excited for them, I am excited to see how I can manage them throughout the competition,” says Jordaan.

The skipper says playing with international players in the team has set the standards of the team higher.

“It brings a lot of experience, trust and a higher standard. Playing with these players who are playing at a higher level brings a higher standard that we need to step up to and perform at,” says Meimaris.

Meanwhile Joburg Under-21 will be pursuing their third successive crown. Coach Bongiwe Msomi says they are not shouldering the pressure to successfully defend their title but want to see the growth in the team.

“They all know that they are the defending champions and that comes with pressure but because we don’t come here focusing on winning, that is not the prime of it. The prime is the hard work that is done behind the scenes to make sure that when it matters we can pull through. As Joburg, over the years, we prepare to compete at a certain standard and if that standard enables us to win, and luckily it has been us over the years,” explains Msomi.