On Monday night all eyes will be on Varsity Netball log leaders UP-Tuks and defending champions Kovsies in a clash of the Titans.
Both UP-Tuks and UFS-Kovsies sailed through their Round Four matches against NWU-Pukke and NMMU-Madibaz respectively. The Pretoria side is still leading the pack with 20 points after bagging another bonus point on Sunday while Burta de Kock’s charges are second, just a point behind the leaders.
The last time the two met, Kovsies came out victorious also winning the Varsity Netball title. This will be a chance for Jenny van Dyk’s charges to avenge that loss.
However both coaches have something to prove from previous encounters, with van Dyk eliminating de Kock’s team at the Spar National Netball Championship recently, being mindful that the competitions are different.
Karla Mostert, Lauren-Lee Christian, Tanya Mostert and Ane Botha’s experience will be vital in the Kovsies camp. They know Tuks’ strengths and how to get the better of them in front of their home supporters.
Pretoria supporters will be hoping it will be “Tuks of niks” being victorious at the end of the last quarter. Lenize Potgieter and Ina-Marie Venter will have a big task in the shooting circle against the Bloemfontein girls. The match will also be influenced by the mid court players. Decision making in this area will play a big role in who takes the game.
Meanwhile the fight for the last two places in the semifinals is still a three horse race between Maties, NMMU and NWU. Maties are still points ahead of Madibaz and Pukke who both lost matches in the fourth round. With three rounds left, winning two of the remaining matches will be a decider in who will be in the last four.
By Busisiwe Mokwena, Daily Sun sports reporter
