Madibaz defender Juanita van Tonder completed a rare double when she was voted both Player of the Tournament and Players’ Player of the Year at the conclusion of Varsity Netball 2026, at the Mafikeng Great Hall in Mahikeng on Monday, 28 September 2026.
Van Tonder was overwhelmed when both awards were presented to her, particularly because the accolades came from different sources. Fans and coaches voted her the best player of the competition, while the players’ vote came from those who have shared the court with her.
“That makes it incredibly special,” Van Tonder said.
“They know the intensity, the pressure and the work that goes into those moments. To have fellow competitors recognise the way I contributed is something I don’t take lightly.”
Madibaz Defender, Juanita van Tonder
The awards are not just about her performances, she said. They represent her journey, the people who have invested in her and everything she has been through to get to this point.
“I’ve always wanted to be the kind of player who makes the people around me better. Knowing that others saw something in the way I competed and carried myself means a lot.”
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For her, the support reinforces the importance of community.
“I don’t necessarily want to be the biggest name in the room. I want to become unforgettable to the people I serve,” she said. “That means giving everything for the team, the supporters and the people who believe in me.”
The awards came despite a challenging campaign for the Madibaz.
“My biggest contribution was probably continuing to believe and competing until the final whistle, regardless of what was happening around us.”
She believes leadership is not only about performing when things are going well but also serving your team with distinction when things are not.
Her personal highlight was her team’s last match of the campaign, a 49-41 defeat to eventual champions the University of Johannesburg (UJ), because she was at her peak.
Van Tonder’s stint as a shooter earlier in her career has sharpened her defensive work. “I understand what they are thinking because I’ve been there. I know what they want, where they want the ball and what makes them uncomfortable.”
By virtue of her position on the court, she has also embraced the tactical side of the sport. “I love reading the play, anticipating what is going to happen before it happens and trying to take away the options the attacker wants.”
Defence is so much more than just intercepting the ball, she believes. “It’s about pressure, communication, discipline and making the whole defensive unit better.”
Her experience with the Proteas has been invaluable in becoming a more complete player, better leader and someone who consistently contributes to winning environments.
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“It exposed me to a different level of intensity, physicality, speed and tactical awareness. You have to make decisions quickly and stay composed because the game doesn’t slow down for you.”
Van Tonder does not want awards to become her destination. “I want them to be part of the journey,” she said.
Original Copy: Full Stop Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Madibaz defender Juanita van Tonder completed a rare double at Varsity Netball 2026, voted Player of the Tournament by fans and coaches and Players’ Player of the Year by her fellow competitors, recognition she says reflects everyone who has invested in her journey, at the Mafikeng Great Hall in Mahikeng on Monday, 28 September 2026. All Photos: Varsity Sport
Photo 2 Caption: Van Tonder reads the play and closes down the attacking options as a defender for the Madibaz in Varsity Netball 2026.
Photo 3 Caption: Madibaz line up at Varsity Netball 2026, a campaign in which Van Tonder’s leadership stood out in testing circumstances.
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