With the Varsity Netball season on the horizon, the North-West University (NWU) netball team is setting its sights on reaching the finals, a goal that reflects their determination to build on their previous performance.

Last year, the NWU team made it to the semifinals, only to be eliminated by the University of Johannesburg. This year, the team aims to go further.

"We are taking it one game at a time and treating every match as if it's the only one that matters," says coach Elsunet du Plessis, outlining the team's strategy for the upcoming season.

The North-West University (NWU) Eagles secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Central University of Technology (CUT) in their fifth Varsity Football match held in Bloemfontein on 22 August 2024.

The match started with an early breakthrough for the NWU, as Molemo Kukame found the back of the net in just the second minute. The NWU maintained their momentum, and in the 35th minute, Momelezi Mngati doubled the lead, taking the score to 2-0. The teams went into halftime with the NWU firmly in control.

Netball, widely recognised as a female-dominated sport, has been steadily gaining traction among male athletes, particularly in South Africa. This shift was marked by a historic moment in 2021 when Netball South Africa hosted the first International Male Netball Tournament - a tri-nations event featuring teams from South Africa, Uganda and Kenya. In a proud moment for the country, South Africa emerged victorious, highlighting the growing interest and talent among men in the sport.

Lindani Nkabinde, a former player turned assistant coach for the North-West University (NWU) Varsity Football team, has seamlessly transitioned from the pitch to the technical bench, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game.  

In a tightly contested match, the North-West University (NWU) secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in a gripping encounter.

The game, which took place at NWU Mahikeng stadium, was a tale of two halves, with the NWU dominating the first and TUT mounting a strong challenge in the second.

North-West University (NWU) Eagles captain Olebogeng Moeti believes that strong leadership will be essential in advancing the team beyond the round-robin stages of the Varsity Football tournament.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming round four match against Tshwane University of Technology, Olebogeng stresses the importance of unity, focus and determination, emphasising the need for the players to   do their best. As the competition intensifies, he is confident that his role as captain will be vital in motivating the squad to overcome challenges and push for greater success.

With a spot on the NWU first team, first-year North-West University (NWU) student Lucky Letwaba is gearing up to make a significant impact in the 2024 Varsity Football tournament.

He will be following in the footsteps of star player Heaven Sereetsi, who caught the eye of Premier Soccer League team Cape Town City in 2023.

Born and raised in Soweto, Lucky's football journey began at the age of six. He started with makeshift goals and friends as teammates, spending hours perfecting his skills. This raw talent eventually attracted local scouts and coaches.

The North-West University (NWU) football team scored a crucial win in the second round of Varsity Football, defeating the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in an away game.

Displaying confidence and bravery, the NWU secured the victory through Momelezi Mngati, who scored the only goal of the match. Coach Nkululeko Malgas says this victory is a great morale booster.

The netball team on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijilpark Campus, under the guidance of head coach Monique Meyer, is still brimming with pride after bringing home the gold and a slew of individual accolades from the University Sports South Africa netball tournament.

The North-West University (NWU) is gearing up to face the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town on 1 August, following a 3-1 loss to the University of the Free State (UFS) in their first Varsity Football game.

Coach Nkululeko Malgas acknowledges the challenges ahead but emphasises the need to bounce back to stay in contention for the 2024 Varsity Football title.