As the only remaining member of the 2019 team, UJ captain Liza Kruger admits they face a tough task in this year’s Varsity Netball.
The 10-day tournament will start at Stellenbosch University’s Coetzenburg Indoor Centre on Saturday, with all of the matches being broadcast on SuperSport.
‘It will be challenging to go into such a big competition with a young, relatively inexperienced team, but we have prepared well and are very excited to tackle the tournament,’ says Kruger.
UJ do have two internationals in Monica Gomases and Cornelia Mupenda, who were members of the senior Namibia team that participated in a Tri-Nations tournament with South Africa and Uganda earlier in the year.
‘We feel and trust we have prepared well and the excitement among the players is amazing. We expect to achieve our team goals,’ adds Kruger, a shooter in her fourth year playing for UJ. She has also played for the Jaguars and Fireballs in the Telkom Netball League.
While UJ have a new-look squad, they do still have the same coach in Proteas captain Bongi Msomi.
SQUAD (13 NEWCOMERS)
Liza Kruger (captain), Nomfundo Mngomezulu, Muhluri Hlatshwayo, Henlize Basson, Zené de Waal, Tarle Mathe, Danielle Esterhuizen, Zanéll Blignaut, Monica Gomases, Thandiwe Nxumalo, Hlengiwe Ngubane, Cornelia Mupenda, Minentle Mayekisa, Yanke Broodryk.
COACHING STAFF
Coach: Bongi Msomi
Team manager: Elize le Roux
PLAYER TO WATCH
Nomfundo Mngomezulu. The goal shooter had a brilliant 2020 Telkom Netball League, playing for the Kingdom Queens. She was the top shooter with a goal average of 90.9% in the second division and earned three Player of the Match awards. Earlier in the year, she represented the Baby Proteas.
TEAM RECORDS
Previous performances: 2019 – 6th; 2018 – 7th; 2017 – 7th; 2016 – 6th; 2015 – 6th; 2014 – 6th; 2013 – 5th
Biggest win: 54 goals (79-25 vs VUT, 2014)
Most goals scored: 79 (79-25 vs VUT, 2014)
Least goals conceded: 24 (63-24 vs UCT, 2013)
Most consecutive wins: 2 (2013-2014)
By Ruan Bruwer
