“I love a challenge.” (Sigrid ‘Sigi’ Burger – Varsity Netball 2015-2018, NWU | National Team debut 2016)
After a string of close matches against much more fancied opponents during last year’s Varsity Netball tournament, UJ is up for the challenge of the 2022 competition. The Johannesburg team’s first match on 17 September is against NWU who won back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
UJ coach and Protea captain Bongi Msomi worked her magic in the 2021 Varsity Netball tournament that took place in a bio-bubble in Stellenbosch. In their second match, the team only lost by six points to eventual winners, Kovsies. During the round-robin matches, UJ collected the most bonus points – 9 – as a result of a couple of close matches.
Assistant coach Nomsa Zungu says they plan to continue to perform well this year.
“We can never predict what a netball game can turn out to be, but we can manage to perform well. In essence, it’s not about how many games we win, but it is about setting up our own goals and then achieving them.”
SQUAD (*subject to change)
Liza Kruger, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Owethu Ngubane, Nomfundo Mngomezulu, Zene de Waal, Henlize Basson, Tarle Mathe, Danielle Esterhuizen, Sanelisiwe Ntobela, Nosihle Mkhwanazi
Zanell Blignaut, Cornelia Mupenda, Boitumelo Mahloko, Hlengiwe Ngubane, Maritske Rautenbach, Onyinye Uduezue.
COACHING STAFF
Head coach: Bongi Msomi
Team manager: Meelan Jansen
TEAM RECORDS
2021: 5th
Best finish: 5th (2013, 2021)
2022 FIXTURES
Saturday 17 September – Round 1 vs NWU (13:00 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
Sunday 18 September – Round 2 vs Madibaz (17:00 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
Monday 19 September – Round 3 vs Kovsies (17:00 @ Rembrandt Hall, Tuks)
Sunday 25 September – Round 4 vs Maties (15:00 @ NWU Amphitheatre, NWU)
Monday 26 September – Round 5 vs TUT (13:00 @ NWU Amphitheatre, NWU)
Sunday 2 October – Round 6 vs UWC (19:00 @ Callie Human Hall, UFS)
Monday 3 October – Round 7 vs Tuks (17:00 @ Callie Human Hall, UFS)
