The time we have all been waiting for has finally come. UP-Tuks will aim to get their hands on the Varsity Netball title. More than anything, Tuks won’t allow nerves to break them and prevent them from winning the title for the first time.
Their depth in the squad has been instrumental in producing a 100% winning record so far in the competition. It has been amazing to watch the team have the same tenacity and prowess to produce the same kind of result week in and week out even when the senior players are not on court. However, will the younger, less experienced players be able to handle the pressure of such an important match? At the same time, it would be unfair to exclude them from the festivities especially after they held their own when it mattered most, getting the team to the final.
Both coaches, Jenny van Dyk and Dorette Badenhorst have gathered a lot of international experience being involved in the Spar Proteas, President’s 12, USSA team and the Baby Proteas this year. All the different competitions have been valuable in making sure that Van Dyk and Badenhorst are well equipped to produce results in high intensity matches. The mental state of the players should be one of their most important aspects when they are preparing the teams for this final.
It is unlikely that Pukke will be willing to give away their title on a silver platter. Just like UFS-Kovies, they want to defend the title successfully. Being able to come back and win their semi-final after they lost to NMMU in their last group match, indicates that they have a strong mentality and they don’t take their previous failures into their battle.
Another closely contested battle was for the Player of the Tournament. Tuks’ Shadine van der Merwe pipped Kovsies’ Khomotso Mamburu and Romé Dreyer of Pukke to win the coveted accolade. They have all contributed immensely for their respective teams this season, but a few hours before the final Tuks have already won a mini-battle, as Van Der Merwe earns the Player of the Tournament.
I hope the final will be a close match instead of one team leading throughout the game. It will make the match interesting and have us sitting on the edge of our seats. Such matches can also put pressure on the players making them committing a lot of mistakes in the process. I can’t wait for this mouth-watering clash, but as we wait for the match to begin, remember to stay on side!
By Busisiwe Mokwena, Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Sports Reporter
