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    Defending Champs Crinums and Unbeaten Fireballs Book TNL Finalist Berths

    Prudence MakogeBy No Comments9 Mins Read
    Defending Champs Crinums and Unbeaten Fireballs Book TNL Finalist Berths


    An unforgettable day of the 2025 Telkom Netball League semifinals unfolded as the final four knock-out contenders lived up to the hype and set the stage ablaze with loads of action, skill, and passion at the Durban International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday, 18 July 2025.

    The highly contested semifinal between the defending champions, the Free State Crinums and Gauteng 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 the Joburg team out, securing their spot in the final.

    The unbeaten Golden Fireballs will challenge defending champions Free State Crinums, after delivering an impressive winning performance over the Southern Stings to secure their spot in the 2025 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 Ané Retief walking away with the player of the match accolade for her brilliant contribution.

    The Crinums will next face the Golden Fireballs in Sunday’s final at 3 pm, determined to defend their title, and the Jaguars will compete for the bronze medal.

    The Gauteng’s Golden Fireballs head into the final with a perfect record, still unbeaten in the competition, and this enticing final will feature an intriguing battle between two former national teammates, Karla Pretorius, for the Bloemfontein reigning champions, and Bongi Msomi, for Joburg’s Fireballs.

    In Friday’s earlier semifinal 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 Two

    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’ defence delivered the decisive performance to win against the Sunbirds in the first Division 2 semifinal on Friday.
    The Tornados’ defence delivered the decisive performance to win against the Sunbirds in the first Division 2 semifinal on Friday.
    The second division 2 semifinal match was a nail-biter showcasing exceptional skill and grit, with the Kingdom Stars winning the day over Tshukudu.
    The second division 2 semifinal match was a nail-biter showcasing exceptional skill and grit, with the Kingdom Stars winning the day over Tshukudu.

    The Tornados boasted a 61% goal shooting percentage, while the Sunbirds struggled at 53% and committed 28 turnovers. Tornado’s attacking flair, led by Beulen Lazarus, 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 Stars’ 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 and Kingdom Stars advance to the finals, setting up an exciting Championship match on Saturday at 6:00 pm.

    2025 Telkom Netball League Division 2 Semi-Finals Fixtures on Saturday 19 July, 2025

    10:00 – Division 2 5th/6th Position Play Off: Free State Sonoblomo vs Kingdom Queens
    12:00 – Division 1 5th/6th Position Play Off: North West Flames vs Eastern Cape Aloes
    14:00 – Division 2 3rd/4th Position Play Off: Mpumalanga Sunbirds vs North West Tshukudu
    16:00 – Division 1 3rd/4th Position Play Off: Southern Stings vs Gauteng Jaguars
    18:00 – Division 2 FINAL: Tornados vs Kingdom Stars

    2025 Telkom Netball League Semi-Finals Results on Friday 18 July, 2025

    Division 2 7th/8th Place Play Off: Northern Cape Diamonds 51 – 34 Limpopo Lilies
    Division 2 Semi-Final 1: Tornados 50 – 44 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
    Division 2 Semi-Final 2: Kingdom Stars 53 – 45 North West Tshukudu
    Division 1 Semi-Final 1: Golden Fireballs 60 – 47 Southern Stings
    Division 1 Semi-Final 2: Free State Crinums 58 – 52 Gauteng Jaguars

    Telkom Netball League Power Week 3 Day 4 Results on Thursday 17 July, 2025

    D2: Eastern Cape Comets 33 – 67 North West Tshukudu
    D2: Free State Sonoblomo 41 – 52 Kingdom Queens
    D1: Free State Crinums 66 – 46 Limpopo Baobabs
    D1: Southern Stings 48 – 61 Golden Fireballs
    D1: Gauteng Jaguars 72 – 41 Eastern Cape Aloes
    D2: Kingdom Stars 46 – 44 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
    D2: Northern Cape Diamonds 54 – 32 Tornados

    Telkom Netball League Power Week 3 Day 3 Results on Wednesday 16 July, 2025

    D2: Northern Cape Diamonds 46 -35 Limpopo Lillies
    D2: North West Tshukudu 35 – 45 Tornados
    D1: Golden Fireballs 62 – 45 North West Flames
    D2: Kingdom Queens 32 – 55 Kingdom Stars
    D2: Mpumalanga Sunbirds 45 – 31 Eastern Cape Comets
    D1: Gauteng Jaguars 44 – 55 Free State Crinums
    D2: Limpopo Lillies 34 – 61 Free State Sonoblomo

    Telkom Netball League Power Week 3 Day 2 Results on Tuesday 15 July, 2025

    D2: Eastern Cape Comets 45 – 50 Kingdom Queens
    D2: Limpopo Lillies 21 – 71 Kingdom Stars
    D2: Mpumalanga Sunbirds 49 – 35 Northern Cape Diamonds
    D1: North West Flames 51 – 63 Gauteng Jaguars
    D1: Southern Stings 76 – 44 Limpopo Baobabs
    D2: Kingdom Queens 42 – 45 North West Tshukudu
    D2: Free State Sonoblomo 41 – 52 Eastern Cape Comets

    Telkom Netball League Power Week 3 Day 1 Results on Monday 14 July, 2025

    D2: Kingdom Queens 41 – 42 Tornados
    D2: Free State Sonoblomo 53 – 54 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
    D2: Northern Cape Diamonds 37 – 43 North West Tshukudu
    D2: Kingdom Stars 54 – 29 Eastern Cape Comets
    D1: Golden Fireballs 64 – 40 Eastern Cape Aloes
    D2: Tornados 57 – 37 Limpopo Lillies
    D1: Southern Stings 44 – 53 Free State Crinums

    Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 Wrap on 18 June, 2025

    Telkom Netball League Power Week 1 Wrap on 5 May, 2025

    Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport

    Main Photo Caption: The highly contested semifinal between the Free State Crinums and Gauteng Jaguars was nothing short of intense competition from both teams and, despite a strong effort from the Jaguars, the Crinums managed to edge the Joburg team out, earning the chance to defend their Telkom Netball League title in Sunday’s final, after Saturday results at the Durban International Convention Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday, 18 July 2025. All Photos: Netball South Africa

    Photo 2 Caption: The Golden Fireballs delivered an impressive winning performance over the Southern Stings to secure their spot in the 2025 final.

    Photo 3 Caption: The Tornados’ defence delivered the decisive performance to win against the Sunbirds in the first Division 2 semifinal on Friday.

    Photo 4 Caption: The second division 2 semifinal match was a nail-biter showcasing exceptional skill and grit, with the Kingdom Stars winning the day over Tshukudu. 



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