NMU Madibaz started their Varsity Netball campaign with a bang, recording two bonus point wins including an emphatic 71-25 win against VUT and a hard but well fought 51-43 win against UWC.
Madibaz coach, Lana Krige, was delighted with the start to the campaign, declaring it “the ideal start”. With all players contributing to the wins, doing what was required and more. She added that it was a team effort and every player achieved the victories together.
With a high scoring first match against VUT at the Coetzenburg Indoor Centre in Stellenbosch, the Madibaz walked away with all the team awards, Jeanie Steyn taking the FNB Player of the Match award, for her brilliance as goalkeeper, as well as Nolusindiso Twani claiming the Samsung Best Shot award. The confidence from this match showed in the next, more physical game, against UWC. There was more pressure from UWC, but the Madibaz ladies held their own to finish with their second bonus point win to put them on 10 points, with Maties, only second on the log due to goal difference.
The importance of those bonus points are evident in the words of Krige.
“Bonus points can give you a ‘win’. And in a big, well contested competition like this, we need all the ‘free’ points we can get.”
Krige, after the weekend, will be very happy with her faith in Varsity Netball debutant, Carla Viviers, who dominated on the court, growing as both a player and a teammate. Still with so much to show.
With their first home game next week against Tuks, the ladies are full of confidence. Nandipha Jack, Madibaz captain, describes the team vibe as amazing after their first two wins and have bonded extremely well. She added that they are excited and ready to play.
The excitement is felt amongst the supporters too, who are eager to fill up the NMU Indoor Centre. The match will be on TV too, starting at 17:30 on Monday 4th September. Be there and #ShowYourColours.
By Shawn Marsh
