Following two major upsets in the semi-finals, Stellenbosch University will face North-West University in what promises to be a nail-biting Varsity Netball final at the Coetzenburg Indoor Centre, Stellenbosch, on Monday 19 October, 2015.
Maties held off University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) to progress to the final, while NWU-Pukke knocked out two-time defending champions University of the Free State (Kovsies) to book a chance at lifting the 2015 silverware.
Since the Varsity Netball tournament started in 2013, Maties and NWU-Pukke have enjoyed an intense rivalry.
The teams met twice in this year’s tournament, with Maties winning the last encounter. The first game between Maties and Pukke was interrupted due to loadshedding. Despite wearing the underdog tag, however, Maties have had a great season with some standout players.
Jo Prins – now in her second season of Varsity Netball – was one of the reasons Maties got the jump on Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in their first game, and has continued her phenomenal performance.
Nelandre Mostert delivered a superb performance against the powerful UP-Tuks, Sune Claasens has been rock-solid, and Haike Brink is the playmaker on the court.
Pukke really came out in full fight for their spot in the final. The Potchefstroom side had close encounters with Kovsies in the final in 2013, and again in a semi-final in 2014, but lost both encounters.
Nadia Uys, former Pukke captain has been heavily involved with the team and believes one can never write off the underdog as they wore the tag in the Varsity Netball semifinal against Kovsies in Bloemfontein.
“We’re proud of the talent that this season of Varsity Netball has produced,” says Varsity Sport CEO Duitser Bosman. “Over the past couple of years the tournament has produced a number of players who have gone on to be selected for the national squad, and we aim to continue boosting talent in netball for the country year after year.”
Netball South Africa CEO Blanche de la Guerre agreed. “This season of Varsity Netball has indeed unearthed new stars. It’s refreshing to see teams that wear the underdog tag step up, and I’m looking forward to what will be an exciting final.”
For more content and updates on Varsity Netball 2015:
- Online: www.varsitysportssa.com
- Twitter: @VarsitysportsSA
- Facebook: Facebook/VarsitySportsSA
- Instagram: @VarsitysportsSA
- Hash tags for this season’s Varsity Netball: #ShowYourColours #VSNetball
Photo 1 caption: North-West University’s Lentsa Motau keeps the attention of UFS Kovsies vice-captain Lauren-Lee Christians during the Varsity Netball second semi-final, at the UFS Callie Human centre in Bloemfontein, Free State, on Monday, 19 October, 2015. NWU-Pukke knocked out two-time defending champions University of the Free State to secure their berth in the 2015 tournament final. Photo by: Frikkie Kapp/SASPA
Photo 2 caption: Charmaine Baard dictates the play pattern for Maties during the first semi-final at the TUKS Indoor Sports Centre in Pretoria on Monday 12 October, 2015. Stellenbosch University came away with the win over UP-Tuks and contest the Varsity Netball 2015 crown. Photo: Catherine Kotze/SASP
With editing by gsport
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