NWU-Pukke will be out for revenge against UFS-Kovsies in their Varsity Netball semifinal after losing to Burta de Kock’s side in the opening round.
The Free State side will have home ground advantage as they finished at the top of the log after the seven rounds of explosive netball action.
Pukke put up a great fight in their last match to get the last semifinal spot. That is the same form that Dorette Badenhorst’s charges need in order to overcome the fiery Kovsies. Pukke haven’t had a great run this season, securing wins in only four of their seven matches.
Last season, UP-Tuks went all the way to the finals without a loss, only to lose the final, this could be Kovsies’ chance to create a new record by defending their title and claiming a third Varsity Netball crown. This could be the best way for De Kock to wrap up her year.
Meanwhile Maties will be looking to correct the mistakes they made in their second round match, when they lost to Tuks in the dying minutes of the game. Stellies will need to work on their PowePlay chances, keep the ball and not let the Pretoria side get easy interceptions and turnovers.
Tuks must not underestimate the Cape side in the semi as they did early in the season. Playing on their own turf may serve as a morale boost for Tuks in their quest to reach successive Varsity Netball finals.
By Busisiwe Mokwena, Daily Sun sports reporter
