As the curtain comes down on the 2025 Varsity Netball season, North-West University (NWU) captain Martine Jordaan says the team is ready to leave everything on the court in their bid to lift the championship trophy when they face the University of the Free State (UFS) in the final in Bloemfontein on 29 September.

The final offers the NWU a chance to avenge their heavy 83–59 defeat to UFS in round five of the tournament, a result that fuelled their determination and sharpened their focus.

“That match was a wake-up call for us,” Martine admits. “We know exactly where we fell short, and this time we are determined to execute our plan and show how much we have grown since then.”

Looking ahead to Monday night’s final taking place in the UFS’s Callie Human Hall, Martine emphasises that the NWU’s focus remains on perfecting their own performance rather than being distracted by the opposition.

“We are focusing on the things we can control and really trying to approach it as we would any other game. Our approach is to sharpen up our own game and try to produce a performance worthy of the finals.”

Reflecting on the season, she says the team’s growth, both individually and collectively, has been central to their success. “We have grown so much as individuals and as a team since the beginning of the tournament. There have been some tough moments, but we kept our spirits high and focused on our goals. The semi-finals were a stand-out for me in the way the team played and just the fun we had on court.”

The Eagles’ campaign has been defined by resilience and flexibility, especially as the team integrated several new players while maintaining cohesion with returning members. “We have a lot of new players on the team and players that have been playing together for quite some time. It was important for us to find the balance in the dynamic of the team and to make everyone feel that they belong,” Martine adds.

The final also marks an emotional milestone for Martine, who has captained the team through a season marked by determination and progress. “This has been such a season of growth for both me and the NWU Eagles. I don’t know how to put into words what this team has done for me and the journey we have been on this season. It has truly been a special and memorable season. To lift the trophy on Monday night would mean the world to us after nearly 10 years of not walking away with the trophy,” she says.

With a decade-long title drought and a score to settle, the NWU is determined to make this final count.