Cape Town extended their early momentum on Day 3 of the Spar National Netball Championships, securing two more wins to stay unbeaten at Dr EG Jansen High School in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday, 3 December 2025.
The Western Cape side defeated eThekwini in their morning match before a top vs bottom-of-the-log clash against Nelson Mandela Bay in the afternoon. The Gqeberha team were not to be underestimated, however, as they pulled out all the stops and won two of the four quarters. But the Capetonians ultimately pulled through, winning 60-56.
Captain Sian Moore described the narrow victory as a reality check for her side. “This was a tough one!”
“It’s that time of the tournament where it’s really difficult to get the girls’ energy levels up,” she said. “It’s hot, it’s cold, it’s windy, it’s weird, it’s match six in three days. It’s a lot to ask.
“But we’re happy with the win. Still on the path that we thought we were going to be on, or that we planned to be on, so very excited about that.”
Western Cape Captain Sian Moore
Cape Town coach Freda Kemp believes the groundwork her side put in ahead of the tournament is showing on court.
“We worked our butts off,” she said. “After the TNL, we realised that we need to put more work in. And we went on extensive SNC [strength and conditioning] programmes and worked hard on our coaching sessions. It’s so good to see them reap the reward of their hard work.”
“Obviously, we’re in the business of winning, and the more you win, the better you play, so we are trying to execute critical moments and keep our error rate low and be consistent.”
Cape Town Coach, Dr Freda Kemp
Later in the day, Tshwane gave their semifinal hopes a massive boost by beating Mangaung. The Pretoria side took an early lead and never looked back, despite a late fightback from the Free State outfit.
Speaking after the 46-43 win, after a loss to Dr Kenneth Kaunda earlier in the day, Tshwane coach Rozanne Matthyse said: “I think we were just finding our feet and gelling. It’s a new team, it’s a young team. We’re building now in Tshwane at the moment. So, I’m very proud of the players, and I think today is the first time at the tournament that I saw them play together as a unit.”
As for moving into third position on the log by the end of day three, Matthyse added: “We obviously want to be in the top four, but we take it match for match. I think tomorrow’s match is a good preparation for what is to come in the semi-finals. We’re going with the same intensity, focus, and drive.”
Meanwhile, three-time defending champions Johannesburg returned to winning ways with two important wins on Wednesday, first a 71-38 win over Cape Winelands before beating eThekwini 54-47 in the day’s second encounter.
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Speaking after the morning match, Johannesburg coach Elsjé Jordaan said: “I definitely think we’re building. We had a tough two days at the start… I knew I just needed one or two games where we could get some momentum. And I think that’s what happened this morning.
“I love the energy that was out there on the court, and I could see the attacks started to flow more.”
Johannesburg Coach, Dr Elsjé Jordaan
Meanwhile, the Botswana national team, coached by former Spar Proteas captain Martha Mosoahle-Samm, wrapped up their shortened participation in the championships, which they were using as preparation for the Africa Netball Cup, with a 48-45 victory over Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Mosoahle-Samm led Mangaung to the 2024 National Netball Champs final, and her heart clearly remains with the Free State side.
“They will forever be my babies, so I’m watching it and I’m supporting Mangaung all the way and I’m hoping that this year they can finally take it,” she said of her former side, now coached by another iconic South African international, Karla Pretorius, who are currently fourth on the log.
“It’s the top four that counts, so I’m waiting for that top four and definitely the final. I have no doubt in my mind that if they make the final, this is our year as Mangaung.”
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In the junior A section, Under 21 defending champions Johannesburg extended their unbeaten run with victories over Ekurhuleni and Dr Kenneth Kaunda.
Senior A Section Results on Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Mangaung 63 – 30 Nelson Mandela Bay
Tshwane 47 – 51 Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Cape Town 71 – 38 eThekwini
Johannesburg 71 – 38 Cape Winelands
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 45 – 48 Botswana
Nelson Mandela Bay 56 – 60 Cape Town
Mangaung 43 – 46 Tshwane
eThekwini 47 – 54 Johannesburg
Under-21 A Section
Tshwane 37 – 35 Cape Town
Ekurhuleni 25 – 67 Johannesburg
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 62 – 24 eThekwini
Cape Town 55 – 28 Ekurhuleni
eThekwini 32 – 58 Tshwane
Johannesburg 48 – 42 Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Results on Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Cape Town 67 – 37 Cape Winelands
Tshwane 37 – 41 eThekwini
Johannesburg 44 – 44 Mangaung
Cape Winelands 47 – 46 Nelson Mandela Bay
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 51 – 62 Cape Town
Tshwane 35 – 42 Botswana
Nelson Mandela Bay 37 – 53 Johannesburg
Mangaung 57 – 54 Botswana
eThekwini 32 – 58 Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Under-21 A Section
Cape Town 48 – 30 eThekwini
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 52 – 29 Ekurhuleni
Johannesburg 55 – 35 Tshwane
Results on Monday, 1 December 2025
Tshwane 54 – 41 Nelson Mandela Bay
Cape Winelands 37 – 44 eThekwini
Johannesburg 53 – 56 Cape Town
Mangaung 51 – 46 Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Cape Winelands 35 – 53 Tshwane
Cape Town 55 – 39 Botswana
eThekwini vs Mangaung (postponed)
Johannesburg vs Botswana (postponed)
Under-21 A Section
Johannesburg 69 – 17 eThekwini
Tshwane 44 – 29 Ekurhuleni
Dr Kenneth Kaunda 56 – 26 Cape Town
Original Copy: BLD Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Cape Town Wing Attack Nerine Koopman controls the ball during their 60-56 win over Nelson Mandela Bay on Day 3 of the 2025 Spar National Netball Championship played at Dr EG Jansen High School in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni on Wednesday December 3, 2025. All Photos: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 Caption: Cape Winelands Goal Defender Kelly Gouws attempts to block Johannesburg Goal Shooter Nontsikelelo Mazibuko’s shot on Day 3.
Photo 3 Caption: Dr. Kenneth Kaunda Goalkeeper Sunel Smit fights for the ball under pressure from the eThekwini attack.
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