Varsity Netball
Varsity Netball is a netball league featuring teams representing universities in South Africa. It was formed in 2013. UFS Kovsies were the inaugural winners and they remain the league's most successful team. It is one of several similar sports competitions that form the Varsity Sports series. Others include leagues for men's football, women's football, field hockey, men's rugby union, and women's rugby union.
 | |
| Sport | Netball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country | South Africa |
| Most recent champion | NWU Pukke (3rd title) |
| Most titles | UFS Kovsies (5 titles) |
| Broadcaster | SuperSport[1] |
| Sponsors | First National Bank Suzuki[1] |
| Official website | Varsity Netball |
Varsity Netball is a netball league featuring teams representing universities in South Africa. It was formed in 2013. UFS Kovsies were the inaugural winners and they remain the league's most successful team. It is one of several similar sports competitions that form the Varsity Sports series. Others include leagues for men's football, women's football, field hockey, men's rugby union, and women's rugby union.[2]
History
[edit]UFS Kovsies
[edit]In 2013, UFS Kovsies won the inaugural tournament. With a team captained by Maryka Holtzhausen, they defeated NWU-Pukke 44–40 in the final.[3][4] They won further titles in 2014, 2018, and 2021.[5] In 2024, UFS Kovsies won their fifth title, after defeating UJ Netball 58–55 in the final.[6][7][8]
UFS Kovsies are closely associated with Free State Crinums of the Telkom Netball League. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, Crinums were a de facto Kovsie team. The vast majority of their squad members, including Lefébre Rademan and Khanyisa Chawane, were University of the Free State students. Crinums head coach, Burta de Kock, was also the head coach of Kovsies.[9][10][11]
NWU-Pukke
[edit]In 2015 and 2016, with teams featuring Sigrid Burger, Renske Stoltz and Jeanté Strydom, NWU-Pukke won two successive titles. In 2015, after finishing the regular season in fourth place, they eliminated two-time defending champions, UFS Kovsies, in semi-final before going onto defeat Maties 50–37 in the final. In 2016 they retained the title following a narrow 56–55 win over UP-Tuks.[12][13][14]
UP-Tuks
[edit]In 2017, after finishing as runners-up in 2014 and 2016, UP-Tuks and won their first title. Their winning team was coached by Jenny van Dyk, captained by Shadine van der Merwe and featured Marlize de Bruin and Ine-Marí Venter. In the final, they defeated NWU-Pukke 43–41.[15][16][17] In 2019, UP-Tuks won their second title, this time defeating Maties 48–43 in the final.[18][19] In 2023, UP-Tuks won their third title after defeating UJ Netball 63–61 in the final.[20][21][22]
UP-Tuks are closely associated with Gauteng Jaguars. Since 2017, Jaguars have been winning Premier Netball League titles. The core of their team is made up of UP-Tuks players. Jenny van Dyk, served as head coach of both UP-Tuks and Jaguars.[23][24]
Teams
[edit]| Team | University | Home venue | TNL partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFS Kovsies Netball[5] | University of the Free State | Callie Human Hall | Free State Crinums |
| UJ Netball[25] | University of Johannesburg | Gauteng Golden Fireballs[26][27] | |
| Madibaz Netball[28] | Nelson Mandela University | Madibaz Sports Centre | Eastern Cape Aloes[29] |
| NWU Netball Pukke[30] | North-West University | NWU Mafikeng Great Hall | North West Flames |
| UP-Tuks Netball[31] | University of Pretoria | Rembrandt Hall | Gauteng Jaguars |
| Maties Netball | Stellenbosch University | Coetzenburg Indoor Arena | |
| TUT Netball | Tshwane University of Technology | ||
| Wits Netball[32] | University of the Witwatersrand | Wits Sports Hall |
Finals
[edit]| Season | Winners | Score | Runners up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013[3][4] | UFS Kovsies | 44–40 | NWU-Pukke | Potchefstroom |
| 2014[34][35][36] | UFS Kovsies | 49–42 | UP-Tuks | Rembrandt Hall |
| 2015[12][37][38] | NWU-Pukke | 50–37 | Maties | Coetzenburg Indoor Arena |
| 2016[13][14] | NWU-Pukke | 56–55 | UP-Tuks | Rembrandt Hall |
| 2017[15][16][17] | UP-Tuks | 43–41 | NWU-Pukke | Rembrandt Hall |
| 2018[39][40] | UFS Kovsies | 63–59 | UP-Tuks | Bloemfontein |
| 2019[18][19] | UP-Tuks | 48–43 | Maties | Rembrandt Hall |
| 2020 | (Note 1) | |||
| 2021[41][42][43] | UFS Kovsies | 55–39 | Maties | Coetzenburg Indoor Arena |
| 2022[44][45] | Maties | 68–55 | NWU-Pukke | Coetzenburg Indoor Arena |
| 2023[20][21][22] | UP-Tuks | 63–61 | UJ Netball | Rembrandt Hall |
| 2024[7][8] | UFS Kovsies | 58–55 | UJ Netball | Callie Human Hall |
| 2025[46] | NWU-Pukke | 57–49 | UFS Kovsies | Callie Human Hall |
- Notes
- ^1 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.
Source:[2]
Notable players
[edit]Winning captains
[edit]| Season | Team | Captains |
|---|---|---|
| 2013[3][4] | UFS Kovsies | Maryka Holtzhausen |
| 2014[35][47] | UFS Kovsies | Karla Mostert |
| 2015 | ||
| 2016[13][14] | NWU-Pukke | Chante Bester |
| 2017[15][16][17] | UP-Tuks | Shadine van der Merwe |
| 2018[48][39] | UFS Kovsies | Alicia Puren |
| 2019[18][19] | UP-Tuks | Tshina Mdau |
| 2021[43] | UFS Kovsies | Sikholiwe Mdletshe |
| 2022[44] | Maties | Sian Moore |
| 2023[20][22] | UP-Tuks | Kamogelo Maseka |
| 2024[8] | UFS Kovsies | Refiloe Nketsa |
| 2025[46] | NWU Pukke | Martine Jordaan |
Player of the Tournament
[edit]| Season | Team | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2013[49] | UFS Kovsies | Ané Botha |
| 2014[35][47] | UFS Kovsies | Karla Mostert |
| 2015 | UFS Kovsies | Karla Mostert |
| 2016[13][14][50] | UP-Tuks | Shadine van der Merwe |
| 2017[51] | UFS Kovsies | Khomotso Mamburu |
| 2018[39][40] | UFS Kovsies | Khanyisa Chawane |
| 2019[52] | UFS Kovsies | Lefébre Rademan |
| 2021[41][42] | Maties | Nicholé Taljaard |
| 2022[44] | NWU-Pukke | Elmeré van den Berg |
| 2023[20][22] | NWU-Pukke | Sanmarie Visser |
| 2024[6][8] | UFS Kovsies | Rolene Streutker |
| 2025[46] | UFS Kovsies | Reratilwe Letsoalo |
Internationals
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Sponsors". www.varsitysportssa.com. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b "History". www.varsitysportssa.com. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kovsies stun Pukke in final". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Holtzhausen hails Kovsies heroes". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Netball Home". www.ufs.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kovsies crowned Varsity Netball 2024 champions after dramatic extra-time final". www.varsitysportssa.com. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Kovsies Crowned 2024 Varsity Netball Champions after Extra-Time Win over UJ". gsport.co.za. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Kovsies crowned 2024 Varsity Netball champions after thrilling extra-time win". www.ufs.ac.za. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Kovsies make up entire Crinums squad". www.ufs.ac.za. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "More success for netballers in different competition?". www.ufs.ac.za. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Player management key to netball team". www.ufs.ac.za. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Underdogs NWU-Pukke Earn Debut Varsity Netball Title Win". gsport.co.za. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Champions reign supreme as Pukke defeat Tuks in thrilling final". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Pukke Snatch 2016 Varsity Netball Cup from Tuks". gsport.co.za. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Tuks finally earn the Varsity Netball crown". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Van Dyk's UP-Tuks celebrate their first Varsity title". www.teamsa.co.za. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Success for Tuks in Varsity Netball after years of disappointment". www.citizen.co.za. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Tuks make history by winning nail-biting final against Maties". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "UP's TuksNetball team wins Varsity Netball Tournament in historic unbeaten run". www.up.ac.za. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "UP-Tuks crowned 2023 Varsity Netball champions". supersport.com. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Gutsy Tuks wins Varsity Netball Tournament for a third time". www.up.ac.za. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "UP-Tuks crowned 2023 Varsity Netball champions". www.varsitysportssa.com. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ "#TuksNetball: Van Dyk coaches Jaguars to a 2nd Brutal Fruit title and 18 game winning streak". www.up.ac.za. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "#TuksNetball: The Gauteng Jaguars are not taking anything for granted in the 2021 Telkom Netball League". www.up.ac.za. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "UJ Netball Club". www.uj.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "UJ Netball players shine at the start of the Telkom Netball League". www.uj.ac.za. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "UJ netballers set for championship performances repeat in 2023 Telkom Netball League". www.uj.ac.za. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Welcome to the SPAR Madibaz Netball Club". netball.mandela.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Eastern Cape netball on the rise as Aloes clinch promotion". sport.mandela.ac.za. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
- ^ "Ladies Netball – Men's Netball". sport.nwu.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "TuksNetball". www.up.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Netball – Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "UJ Leads Varsity Netball Log as Kovsies Inflict Resounding Defeat on Defending Champs Tuks". www.varsitysportssa.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Kovsies retain their crown". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kovsies Beat Tuks to Retain Varsity Netball Crown". gsport.co.za. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "Unbeaten Tuks stumble across last hurdle in Varsity Netball final against Kovsies". www.citizen.co.za. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Pukke dominate to win first Varsity Netball tournament". www.citizen.co.za. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Pukke dominate to win first Varsity Netball tournament". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Kovsies Lift 2018 Varsity Netball Trophy in front of Sold-Out Home Crowd". gsport.co.za. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Kovsies take down Tuks in thrilling final". www.teamsa.co.za. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Clinical Kovsies claim fourth Varsity Netball crown". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Kovsies Overwhelm Maties to Win 2021 Varsity Netball Tournament". gsport.co.za. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b "South African Varsity Netball competitions back in action after postponement". www.fisu.net. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b c "Home-town success for Maties as the Maroon Machine beat NWU to be crowned 2022 Varsity Netball champions". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Maties Crowned 2022 Varsity Netball Champions". gsport.co.za. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Kamedien, Siraj (2025-09-29). "NWU Eagles crowned Varsity Netball 2025 champions after epic comeback". Varsity Sports. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
- ^ a b "More silverware for Mostert". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Varsity Netball final facts: Kovsies vs Tuks". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Kovsies' Botha cleans up". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "Super Woman: Shadine van der Merwe". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Khomotso and Romé honoured". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Lefébre Rademan named Varsity Netball 2019's best player". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2024.