An unforgettable day of netball unfolded at the Durban ICC, as the 2025 Telkom Netball League (TNL) semifinals lived up to the hype and set the stage ablaze with loads of action, skill, and passion.
The highly contested semifinal between the defending champions, the Crinums and Jaguars, was a mouth-watering encounter that was nothing short of intense competition from both teams. Despite a strong effort from the Jaguars, the Crinums managed to edge them out, securing their spot in the final.
Martha Mosoahle-Samm’s charges delivered a well-rounded performance, with all players contributing to their success. After being rattled by Rozanne Matthyse’s side in the first quarter, the Crinums made a remarkable comeback, showcasing their ability to adapt and take control. The Crinums’ impressive turnover percentage of 88% was a key factor in their victory. Both teams showed impressive ball handling skills, but the Crinums took more opportunities to score.
The final score was 58-52 in favour of the Crinums, with Ane Retief walking away with the player of the match accolade for her brilliant contribution.
The Crinums will next face the Fireballs on Sunday at 3 pm, looking to defend their title. The Fireballs head into the final with a perfect record, still unbeaten in the competition. This final will also feature an intriguing battle between two former national teammates, Karla Pretorius (Crinums) and Bongi Msomi (Fireballs).
The Jaguars, on the other hand, will compete for the bronze medal.
In an earlier clash, the Golden Fireballs delivered an impressive performance to secure their spot in the 2025 final. After a strong start from the Southern Stings in the first quarter, the Fireballs’ intensity and discipline took over, showcasing a holistic team effort and teamwork.
Dr. Freda Kemp’s Southern Stings made several changes in search of solutions, but Dr. Elsje Jordaan’s team stuck to their starting lineup, ultimately proving to be the winning strategy. The stats highlighted the Fireballs’ dominance, with 60 goals from 66 attempts. Samantha Ngubane was named Player of the Match.
DIVISION 2 WRAP
In the first Division 2 semifinal, the Tornados delivered a strong performance, resulting in a 50-44 win, showcasing controlled play that left the Sunbirds behind. Despite a high penalty rate, their defenders stayed composed, allowing their strategy to shine.
The Tornados boasted a 61% goal shooting percentage, while the Sunbirds struggled at 53% and committed 28 turnovers. Tornado’s attacking flair, led by Lazare, was evident throughout the match. Despite challenges, it was an exhilarating contest.
Coach Lucy Twani emphasised the importance of their game plan and team culture in achieving success: “The culture we’ve built as a team is carrying us through these stages of the competition. It was a hard semi, but I think the girls can see that they can do it. We’re definitely going to use this to get into tomorrow’s game.”
The second division 2 semifinal match was a nail-biter, with both the Kingdom Stars and Tshukudu showcasing exceptional skill and grit. Opportunities and errors were remarkably evenly distributed between the two sides, highlighting the intense competition. Tshukudu’s maiden semi-final appearance was marked by impressive hard work and dedication.
The defensive prowess of Star’s GD Thulisile Maduna and Tshukudu’s WD Gomolemo Mashiane were instrumental in disrupting their opponents’ attacks. After a thrilling third quarter that ended in a 36-36 deadlock, the Stars surged ahead midway in the final quarter, leveraging their momentum to secure a convincing win with a final score of 53-45 to the KZN side.
“We just have to motivate the girls, because the spirit is so high,” said Kingdom Stars coach Nompumelelo Mthembu. “It’s going to be a defensive battle on both sides, but I trust our shooters.”
With these victories, the Tornados KD Stars advance to the finals, setting up an exciting championship match on Saturday at 6:00 pm.
Friday, 18 July 2025: Results:
10:00 – Play off D2 Pos. 7/8: Diamonds 51 – 34 Lilies
12:00 – Semi-final (1) D2: Tornados 50 – 44 Sunbirds
14:00 – Semi-final (2) D2: Kingdom Stars 53 – 45 Tshukudu
16:00 – Semi-final (1) D1: Fireballs 60 – 47 Stings
18:00 – Semi-final (2) D1: Crinums 58 – 52 Jaguars
Friday, 18 July 2025 Fixtures:
10:00 – Play off D2 Pos. 5/6: Sonoblomo vs Kingdom Queens
12:00 – Play off D1 Pos. 5/6: Flames vs Aloes
14:00 – Play off D2 Pos. 3/4: Sunbirds vs Tshukudu
16:00 – Play off D1 Pos. 3/4: Stings vs Jaguars
18:00 – Final D2: Tornados vs Kingdom Stars
