The North-West University (NWU) Eagles are one victory away from successfully defending their Varsity Netball title after holding their nerve to beat the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) 52–50 in a thrilling semi-final in Pretoria on Monday, 21 September.
The hard-fought victory booked the defending champions a place in the final against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on Monday, 28 September 2026. The title decider will take place at the Great Hall on the Mahikeng Campus of the NWU, bringing the biggest match of the competition to the local community.
The NWU had to work for its place in a second consecutive final.
UP-Tuks started strongly at the Rembrandt Hall and opened an early six-goal advantage. The Eagles responded and edged ahead 13–12 at the end of the first quarter. Little separated the teams in the second quarter, with the score locked at 23–23 at half-time.
UP-Tuks regained a narrow advantage in the third quarter and entered the final 15 minutes leading 36–35. However, the NWU refused to let the match slip away.
The defending champions kept fighting and produced their best netball when it mattered the most. They overturned the deficit and secured a 52–50 victory. Vivian Venancio was named player of the match.
NWU head coach Elsunet du Plessis praised her players for remaining composed in a match that went down to the wire.
“I am very proud of the composure the players showed, especially in those final few minutes. It was a tough, physical game and they kept fighting for each other until the end,” says Elsunet.
“In a semi-final like that, it comes down to staying calm under pressure and making the important moments count.”
UJ also had to dig deep to reach the final. The Johannesburg side beat University of the Free State (UFS) Kovsies 57–54 after extra time in Bloemfontein. The teams were tied 47–47 after regulation time before UJ pulled ahead during the additional period.
Elsunet expects another demanding contest.
“UJ are a very strong and competitive side, and we know it will be another tough battle. Our focus this week will be on improving our own performance, looking after possession and being clinical with the opportunities we create.”
The Eagles enter the final as defending champions after having beaten UFS Kovsies 57–49 in the 2025 final to claim their third Varsity Netball title.
Now, with home support behind them at the Mahikeng Campus, only UJ stands between the NWU and back-to-back Varsity Netball titles.
NWU Eagles beat UP-Tuks by 52-50 to secure a final encounter with UJ.
