Western Cape Tornados were crowned Division two champions after edging the Kingdom Queens 47-46 in a pulsating final that went down to the wire.
The Queens made a brighter start to the match, asserting themselves early with a higher intensity and capitalizing on their opportunities in attack. However, the Tornados gradually settled into the game, finding their rhythm and matching the Queens’ physicality and pace. With five minutes remaining in the opening quarter, just two goals separated the sides. A brilliant bounce pass sweep by Tornados Goal Defense Ziyanda Mwezo in the circle, looked set to create an equalizing opportunity, but Queens Goalkeeper Lonwabo Khumalo denied them possession. Despite the setback, the Tornados made the most of their super shots as Goal Attack Hannah Kriel converted two two-pointers, while Shooter Liandré Kriel added a single shot to help the side overturn the deficit and take a 14-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Tornados continued to dictate proceedings in the second quarter, displaying composure and discipline while punishing the Queens for unforced errors. The Queens struggled to find attacking fluency, managing only two goals in the first five minutes as the Tornados stretched their lead to six goals midway through the quarter. Defensively, Tornados effectively neutralized the influence of Queens playmaker Thobekile Mjaja, limiting her impact. However, the Queens regrouped in the latter stages of the quarter, steadily reducing the deficit to three goals. Although the Tornados failed to convert any super shots, Mjaja struck from long range for the Queens, while Shooter Aphiwe Thusini contributed a single shot to inspire a turnaround, as the KZN side took a 26-25 lead at half time.
Defensive intensity defined the third quarter as the Tornados suffocated the Queens’ attacking flow. Their relentless pressure forced the Queens into multiple passes and difficult ball movement through the court. The Tornados closed the gap to a single goal before the Queens called for strategic timeout, with their assistant coach Lungile Lembethe urging the players to remain calm and take the game ball-by-ball. The Tornados made it hard for the Queens to execute their coaches’ instructions as they equalized immediately after the talk before surging ahead with renewed momentum to establish a three-goal cushion. The quarter remained a low-scoring affair dominated by defensive brilliance, with the Tornados adding a single shot but doing enough to carry a 37-33 lead into the final period.
The fourth quarter delivered a fitting finale to an enthralling contest. Both teams traded blows, matching each other’s intensity in a true championship spectacle. The Queens came out firing as Mjaja rediscovered her attacking confidence and resumed her role as the chief playmaker, while Thusini remained composed and clinical under the post. Khumalo also made her presence felt defensively, producing a vital intercept that allowed the Queens to convert their center pass and take a two-goal lead.
The Tornados, however, refused to surrender. They responded immediately after the Queens were penalized for an unforced error, capitalizing on a draw once again. With the momentum shifting from one side to the other, the Tornados edged ahead by a solitary goal heading into the final super shot period. They then scored what proved to be the decisive 47th goal of the match, leaving the Queens with just six seconds to salvage the game. Although the Queens secured the center pass, time ran out after the first pass and this sealed a dramatic 47- 46 victory for the Tornados.
”I think it was brilliant, Queens came out guns blazing and that’s how a final should be played. Ball for ball every quarter, it was not predictable and they were doing great defensively. We were trying to find each other, there was a disconnect at some point but we found each other and played until the last minute”, Tornados coach Lucy Twani added after the game.
Meanwhile, the bronze medal playoffs delivered compelling storylines as the league’s rising contenders battled for a place on the podium. In Division One, the Southern Stings produced a statement performance to defeat the Gauteng Jaguars 55-45 and claim the bronze medal. The result marked a significant moment in the competition’s history, with the Jaguars enduring their lowest finish since the inception of the National League in 2014. Having featured in every final from 2014 to 2024, the Gauteng side was once again forced into the third-place playoff after finishing third last year. However, unlike 2025 when they edged the Stings 67-59 to secure bronze, this time the Stings turned the tables to walk away with a medal.
In Division Two, Sonoblomo capped off their campaign in impressive fashion with a convincing 62-44 victory over the Limpopo Baobabs to secure a bronze. After finishing fourth in the round robin standings and falling to the Tornados in the semi’s, the Sunbirds bounced back to record their best-ever finish since joining the competition in 2023. The Baobabs, who caused some upsets during the round-robin phase with narrow victories over the Diamonds and Sunbirds to finish second on the log, were unable to recover from their semi-final defeat to the Queens and had to settle for fourth place.
Division Two Individual Accolades:
Best Shooter :Aphiwe Thusini (Queens)
Best Mid-court player : Lara Ehlers (Tornados)
Best Defender: Asemahle Dyidi (Tornados)
Best Player of the tournament: Rochelle Maree (Baobabs)
FINAL STANDINGS:
1. Tornados
2. Queens
3. Sonoblomo
4. Baobabs
5. Tshukudu
6. Diamonds
7. Sunbirds
8. Comets
9. Lilies
