Defending Varsity Netball champions Kovsies beat Maties 41-33 in Stellenbosch to remain unbeaten and top the standings.
The win sets up a mouth-watering semifinal clash with their old rivals NWU-Pukke, while Maties will travel up to Pretoria to face UP-Tuks next week after they finished the round robin phase of the tournament in third place.
The opening exchanges were extremely hard-fought, with both teams desperate to claim an early advantage and stamp their authority on the match.
There was no drop off in intensity as the two top sides traded blows in an epic showdown, and it was the visitors who took a slender 7-6 lead into the first break.
The defending champions managed to open up a slight gap at the start of the second period by making the most of their opportunities and by half-time they were 17-11 up.
Maties had the enthusiastic home crowd right behind them, but they had their work cut out for them in the second half to fight back.
The visitors made a strong start to the second half as they looked to take the game right away from Maties who found themselves firmly on the back foot.
However, Maties were not going to simply lie down and they threw absolutely everything at Kovsies in a bid to narrow the gap.
However, at the final break Kovsies held a handy 27-18 lead with two powerplays still to come.
Maties were desperate and made a storming start to the final period, calling the powerplay early.
However, Kovsies managed to absorb the pressure and held out for a crucial win which secured top spot of the standings and home advantage in the play-offs.
FNB Player of the match: Karla Mostert
Teams:
Kovsies: Danelle Willemse, Reize Straeuli, Denielle van der Merwe, Lefebre Rademan, Ane Botha, Dakalo Tshikala, Lauren-Lee Christians, Khomotso Mamburu, Karla Mostert, Tanya Mostert, Maryke Coetzee, Alicia Pure.
Maties: Charmaine Baard, Nelandre Mostert, Cari Swart, Somari Els, Haike Brink, Saskia Stander, Sune Claassens, Jo Prins, Sasha-Lee Petersen, Juline Rossouw, Melandi Pretorius, Stephanie Brandt.
