The University of Pretoria will be hoping to win their maiden Varsity Netball title. The team has come close on a few occasions, but will feel confident that this is their year. It would be hard not to agree with sentiments of UP-Tuks gaining their first championship as they go up against NWU-Pukke in Monday’s final. This year’s unbeaten side will, however, be going up against the reigning champions who put in a clinical performance against Maties in their semi-final encounter.
The Pretoria team had a pretty convincing win in the semi-finals themselves, as they outplayed the NMMU-Madibaz by 87 points to 22. UP-Tuks will be boosted by the performance of their players, whose track record has seen them selected for national sides in the Diamond Challenge and Fast5 teams respectively, throughout the competition.
Marlize de Bruin will be coming off her second player of the match award, tied with captain and player of the tournament nominee, Shadine van der Merwe. “We’ve been a solid team throughout the season and going into the final having an experienced team will benefit us. Our goal is just one thing,” said an excited van der Merwe. When asked about her nomination for player of the tournament, Shasha answered, “As an individual I am just thankful to play again and have my sisters backing me. It would mean a lot, but earning such a big award is just a bonus in the end, if it is meant to be it will be.
“It’s been uphill for us throughout the tournament. We have been a team growing together as one and we are about to bloom. For me, as a player, winning the first title for Tuks netball as captain would be very special,” concluded the skipper.
There will also be an interesting battle between the Proteas attack force as the University of the North-West’s Sigrid Burger and Renske Stoltz will be going up against their teammates Lenize Potgieter and Izette Lubbe. The conclusion of the 2016 Varsity Netball is set for a thrilling finish and you can catch all the action live on SuperSport with updates on all the Varsity Sports social media platforms.
UP-Tuks team: Melissa Kotze, Lenize Potgieter, Ine-Mari Venter, Chantelle Swart, Tshina Mdau, Izette Lubbe, Marlize de Bruin, Shongile Hlugwana, Shadine van der Merwe (captain), Jasmine Ziegelmeier, Juzelri Garbers, Unelle Snyman
By Theriso Lethuloe
