The North West Flames staged a remarkable comeback to join provincial colleagues North West Tshukudu in home wins to conclude the 2025 Telkom Netball League’s Power Week 1 on a high note for home fans at the Sun City Super Bowl and Sun Park outside Rustenburg, in the North West Province, on Sunday, 4 May 2025.
The talent and teamwork on display were impressive, with teams from both divisions demonstrating significant growth and a hunger for competition that promises an exciting season ahead.
The day’s action began with an encounter between the North West Flames and the Eastern Cape Aloes. The match was a nail-biter, with the Aloes taking an early 17-14 lead in the first quarter. However, the Flames staged a comeback, winning the second quarter 31-30 and the third quarter 45-43.
The Flames continued to dominate, drawing 13-13 in the final quarter wasn’t enough for the Aloes, and the final score was 58-56 in favour of the Flames.
The Flames’ victory was marked by several key stats, including Sunel Smit’s dominant rebounding performance (14-4). Despite similar turnovers (20 apiece), the Flames’ ability to capitalise on goal attempts and maintain discipline proved decisive.
The Aloes’ strong attack (109 circle feeds) showed their intent to dominate, but the Flames’ shooting percentage and strategic play ultimately paid off.
“I’m relieved we won the game. It was a tight match with many ups and downs. I’m happy with our team’s composure under pressure. Although some players were a bit flat, the team pulled together to secure the win.”
North West Flames, Coach Elsunet du Plessis
Coach Sameshia Esau of the Eastern Cape Aloes added, “Congratulations to the Flames on a great game of netball. While we didn’t get the result we wanted, I’m proud of my team’s progress. We’ve had limited practice time together, but we’ve made strides. I’m confident we’ll improve in the second leg.”
Aloes Wing Defence, Nomxolisi Luvuno’s impressive performance earned her Player of the Match honours.
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The Tshukudu vs Comets match was an intense encounter. The Comets started strong in the first quarter, winning 11-6, but couldn’t maintain their lead. Tshukudu bounced back to dominate the remaining quarters: 23-19 in Q2, 34-29 in Q3, and closed out the match 48-41. Coach Vivian Foko’s tactical adjustments proved pivotal, enabling Tshukudu to seize and hold onto the lead.
Tshukudu’s defence effectively disrupted the Comets’ flow, hindering their ability to find a rhythm. Despite both teams being evenly matched in terms of goal percentages and stats, Tshukudu’s additional attempts proved decisive. The Super Shot feature had minimal impact, with both teams scoring only two points.
“It wasn’t easy, telling the truth, it was hard… But me calling the strategic time, I think it helps them just to tell them, just to calm down, girls, you’ve got it. You know your channels. Just use your channels. Stay calm, we’re going to have this, they did exactly what I asked them to do.”
Tshukudu Coach, Vivian Foko
Aloes Assistant Coach Xolelwa Wotsitsa expressed pride in her team’s growth, saying, “I feel happy the girls are growing every game. It’s their first time in this intense, high-performance competition, so I believe next time it’s going to be good. Our preparations focus on intense defence, shooting, and converting intercepts and centre passes.”
In the last Division 2 encounter, the Kingdom Queens pulled one against the Diamonds. They started strong, maintaining a high pace throughout the game. The Queens’ offence was led by goal shooter Thobekile Mjaja.
The Queens’ defence, particularly the duo of Silindile Ngcobo and Senamile Mthembu, was outstanding. The inclusion of Nelisiwe Msweli added depth and accuracy to the team’s attack.
The statistics reflected the Queens’ dominance, with an impressive 83% goal conversion rate compared to the Diamonds’ 52%. The Diamonds struggled with turnovers, which hindered their chances of success.
In the last match of the day, the defending champions, the Crinums led by Coach Marth Mosoahle-Samm, suffered their second defeat, wrapping up the first leg on a low note.
The Eagles dominated from the start, winning the first quarter 21-5, and maintained their lead throughout. Despite a strong comeback in the final quarters, the Crinums couldn’t overcome the damage done in the first quarter, ultimately losing 57-49.
And, with that, Power Week 1 has concluded! Teams are now taking a well-deserved break to recharge for the next chapter of intense competition in the second leg.
Catch the next Power week on the 13-17 June 2025 at the Sun City Sun Park.
Telkom Netball League Results on Sunday, 4 May 2025
North West Flames 58-56 Eastern Cape Aloes
North West Tshukudu 48-41 Eastern Cape Comets
Northern Cape Diamonds 23-49 KD Queens
Free State Crinums 49-57 Zambezi Eagles
Telkom Netball League Results on Saturday, 3 May 2025
07:00 Eastern Cape Comets 36-49 Tornados
09:00 Northern Cape Diamonds 33-48 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
11:00 North West Flames 57-62 Golden Fireballs
13:00 KD Stars 45-36 Limpopo Lillies
15:00 Eastern Cape Aloes 47-57 Gauteng Jaguars
17:00 North West Tshukudu 70-44 Free State Sonoblomo
19:00 Free State Crinums 53-39 Southern Stings
Telkom Netball League Results on Friday, 2 May 2025
Free State Sonoblomo 47-51 Northern Cape Diamonds
Limpopo Lillies 44-52 KD Queens
Eastern Cape Aloes 47-48 Limpopo Baobabs
Tornados 50-53 North West Tshukudu
Spar Baby Proteas 41-51 North West Flames
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 41-39 KD Stars
Gauteng Jaguars 43-50 Golden Fireballs
Telkom Netball League Results on Thursday, 1 May 2025
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 60-27 Limpopo Lillies
Southern Stings 63-40 Spar Baby Proteas
Gauteng Jaguars 56-49 Zambezi Eagles
Tornados 60-42 Free State Sonoblomo
Northern Cape Diamonds 32-39 Eastern Cape Comets
North West Flames 45-68 Free State Crinums
Eastern Cape Aloes 40-47 Golden Fireballs
KD Stars 45-41 North West Tshukudu
Southern Stings 57-61 Zambezi Eagles
KD Queens 37-54 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
Gauteng Jaguars 65-38 Limpopo Baobabs
Telkom Netball League Results on Wednesday, 30 April 2025
North West Tshukudu 70-36 Northern Cape Diamonds
Zambezi Eagles 49-47 Eastern Cape Aloes
Free State Sonoblomo 46-44 Limpopo Lillies
Eastern Cape Comets 30-57 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
Gauteng Jaguars 52-50 Southern Stings
KD Stars 46-37 Tornados
Spar Baby Proteas 62-51 Zambezi Eagles
North West Flames 64-38 Limpopo Baobabs
North West Tshukudu 53-37 KD Queens
Free State Crinums 45-50 Golden Fireballs
Telkom Netball League Results on Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Eastern Cape Comets 35-37 Limpopo Lillies
KD Stars 62-44 Free State Sonoblomo
Gauteng Jaguars 55-51 Spar Baby Proteas
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 45-48 North West Tshukudu
Southern Stings 57-57 North West Flames
KD Queens 44-44 Eastern Cape Comets
Eastern Aloes 36-56 Free State Crinums
Spar Baby Proteas 46-59 Limpopo Baobabs
Limpopo Lillies 23-59 Tornados
Telkom Netball League Results on Monday 28 April 2025
Zambezi Eagles 56-48 Limpopo Baobabs
KD Queens 59-47 Free State Sonoblomo
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 38-45 Tornados
Spar Baby Proteas 54-47 Eastern Aloes
Golden Fireballs 63-42 Southern Stings
Eastern Cape Comets 31-48 KD Stars
Free State Crinums 59-38 Gauteng Jaguars
Telkom Netball League Results on Sunday 27 April 2025
Golden Fireballs 61-40 Zambezi Eagles
Limpopo Baobabs 34-68 Free State Crinums
Tornados 51-23 KD Queens
Northern Cape Diamonds 27-53 KD Stars
Gauteng Jaguars 57-60 North West Flames
Tshukudu 52-37 Limpopo Lillies
Eastern Cape Comets 48-47 Free State Sonoblomo
Limpopo Baobabs 48-52 Southern Stings
Golden Fireballs 68-35 Spar Baby Proteas
Telkom Netball League Results on Saturday 26 April 2025
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 52-45 Free State Sonoblomo
Free State Crinums 58-46 Spar Baby Proteas
Tornados 54-33 Northern Cape Diamonds
North West Flames 51-46 Zambezi Eagles
Golden Fireballs 71-35 Limpopo Baobabs
KD Queens 47-36 KD Kings
Southern Stings 62-34 Eastern Cape Aloe
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The North West Flames staged a remarkable comeback to join provincial colleagues North West Tshukudu in home wins to conclude the 2025 Telkom Netball League’s Power Week 1 on a high note for home fans at the Sun City Super Bowl and Sun Park outside Rustenburg, in the North West Province, on Sunday, 4 May 2025. All Photos: Netball South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Sunday’s action began with the Flames staging a nail-biter comeback win over the Aloes, who had taken a 17-14 first quarter lead.
Photo 3 Caption: The Comets started strong in an intense encounter against Tshukudu, but the home team closed out the match to lead the Division 2 Standings.
Photo 4 Caption: The Kingdom Queens started strong and maintained a high pace to win against the Diamonds in the final Division 2 encounter.
Photo 5 Caption: The Crinums suffered their second defeat at the hands of the Zambezi Eagles in an international friendly closing their week.
