There’s an accepted rivalry between the NWU-Puk and Kovsies. One steeped in history, a contest fought for nearly a century.
It would be amiss to say that there is an underlying animosity between the two sides, but stating that their competitiveness is a fair bit more than friendly competition would not be off the mark.
On Saturday, at the Rembrandt Hall at the University of Pretoria, they will clash again, and each would do well to head the warning written by history’s retelling of many such bouts: anything can happen.
Heading into the inaugural Varsity Netball competition, the NWU-Puk is one of the favourites. They know this. Coach Dorette Badenhorst knows this, Helené Botha, NWU-Puk’s manager of women’s sport, knows this.
However, Kovsies are the reigning USSA champions and, despite being without a host of their stars, will pose a massive threat.
“We are ranked as one of the top three sides in the competition, but we are not taking anything for granted and we are not underestimating anyone. That is not to say we aren’t optimistic about our chances. Anything but.
“We have a great side and an exceptional coach in Dorette. It is going to be a tough weekend, but we are confident that we can meet every challenge that we face,” explained Botha.
And a challenge, it will be. After Kovsies there is TUT on Sunday and imposing Tuks on Monday.
“We’ve worked hard and we are playing some of our best netball,” says Badenhorst. “We are a young team, but a confident one.”
Scaling the hurdle that is Kovsies will be the first hurdle, securing a bonus point against TUT the second.
“We’ve played against TUT a few times this year, so we have an idea what to expect. A bonus point for 50 goals or more will be our target, as securing bonus points will play a huge role as we head to the semi-final stages of the competition.”
Thereafter a fired-up Tuks will await on their home turf. A daunting prospect if ever there was one.
“We have beaten Tuks this year and we know we are capable of doing it again. Both Tuks and Kovsies are without their Proteas which make the playing field level for all involved. Our focus will not, however, be on the opposition, but on how we, as a team, play,” said Badenhorst.
“It’s all very new and very exciting with music that is going to be playing throughout, the carnival atmosphere and new additions to the game like Sizzle Plays. It will take some adjustment, but if we maintain our focus and play to our abilities there is no reason why we can’t win all three of our games and top the log,” she added.
By Bertie Jacobs
