Their current second place on the Varsity Netball log is still no guarantee that Kovsies will play in the semifinals of the inaugural competition and the Bloemfontein based side must beat Maties on Monday if they are to be certain of their fate.
With two games for all the teams remaining in the group stages, only NWU-Puk has cemented their place in the knock out stages, which means that Kovsies, NMMU and Tuks still need to be at their best the next couple of weeks.
Kovsies are on a high the last couple of weeks, beating all other contenders after falling victim to NWU-Puk in round one. This is also the last time that the hosts will be able to call on their Proteas players Maryka Holtzhausen, Karla Mostert and Adéle Niemand as the latter will all join the national side later next week with their sights on preparing for the coming triangular series against England and Trinidad and Tobago.
“We can not let our current position on the log influence us. There is still much work that needs to be done if we are to play in the semi finals and eventual final. We can ill afford a slip up against Maties and therefore we will go all out against them,” Kovsies coach Burta de Kock said.
Maties are currently fifth on the log and can still sneak into the back door of the knock out stages. If Kovsies do manage to beat them – the hosts are favourites after drumming Ikeys 89-13 last week – their chances of reaching the semi’s are greatly disrupted.
“There is a lot for Maties to play for, as well as for us. This is crunch time and our match up with the team from Stellenbosch is going to be a tough one. We know what is at stake just as well as they do and therefore we can not come up short,” De Kock added.
Kovsies might well be two Proteas richer on Monday. Ané Botha and Lauren-Lee Christians, both stalwarts for the Bloemfontein based outfit, have been invited to national trials at Tuks on Saturday. If they are given the green light by national coach Elize Kotze, they will join Kovsies on Monday as the newest additions to the national side.
“We are holding thumbs for Ané and Lauren-Lee. Both of them are extremely good players that deserve a chance at higher laurels. And we are not concerned that the weekend’s trial in Pretoria will sap their powers, as they are both super fit. They will thus be raring to go against Maties,” De Kock said.
