Stellenberg High School will stage the SPAR National Netball Championships final on Tuesday after Tshwane produced a nervy 57-55 victory over four‑time defending champions Johannesburg in a semi‑final that required sudden‑death to separate the teams.
Drama at Stellenberg
The tie, played at a frantic tempo, could not be decided in regular time. Scores were locked at 26‑all at half‑time and Johannesburg held a narrow advantage at the end of the third quarter, only for Tshwane to rally in the final period. A last‑gasp intercept by Johannesburg wing defence Phila Ntuli prevented Tshwane taking the lead with 10 seconds remaining, forcing extra time.
Extra time again finished level at 55‑55 after Johannesburg’s Tinita van Dyk struck with no time left to draw level, and the match moved into extended extra time under the sudden‑death rule — the first side to lead by two goals wins. Johannesburg had the first centre pass in the period but lost possession, allowing Tshwane to take control. Veteran goal shooter Ine‑Mari Venter, who has more than 50 caps for the SPAR Proteas, calmly converted the final two goals to secure the win.
“Those last moments… I don’t think there was anything going through my head, to be honest. I think it was just being clinical when we have the ball in our hands, so we really needed to finish it,” Venter said after the match.
Tshwane coach Rozanne Matthyse reflected on the emotional payoff for a side that finished sixth last year. “There were a lot of emotions for me in that moment… We came sixth last year, so there was a lot of digging deep and hard work that went into that introspection for me personally as a coach as well,” she said, urging her squad to build on the performance and correct the small errors ahead of the final.
Hosts advance with comfortable semi
Hosts Cape Town booked their place in the final with a more comfortable 68‑53 win over Mangaung in the other semi‑final. The margin underlined Cape Town’s offensive strength across the tournament and sets up a final that pits home advantage against Tshwane’s momentum and composure under pressure.
- Date and venue: Final on Tuesday at Stellenberg High School, Cape Town.
- Match outcome: Tshwane 57–55 Johannesburg (sudden death).
- Other semi-final: Cape Town 68–53 Mangaung.
| Team | Semi‑final result |
|---|---|
| Tshwane | 57 (sudden death) |
| Johannesburg | 55 |
| Cape Town | 68 |
| Mangaung | 53 |
The final presents a clear narrative tension. Cape Town will seek to harness home support and a potent scoring record, while Tshwane arrive with belief after surviving a high‑pressure encounter and showing the kind of clinical composure in late moments that often decides knockout finals.
In the lead‑up to the final, Tshwane’s Venter downplayed the tag of favourites and said preparation and execution would determine the outcome. Matthyse insisted her team must review phases that did not go to plan even as she celebrated the character shown in the semi‑final.
For Cape Town, the task is to maintain their attacking rhythm and limit turnovers that allowed Tshwane to remain in touch against Johannesburg. For local netball supporters, the match offers an appealing contrast in styles — the home side’s attacking fluency against Tshwane’s resilience and end‑game nerve.
Tickets and match timings were confirmed by tournament organisers; supporters are urged to consult official channels for entry details and any last‑minute changes. The final will decide who lifts the SPAR trophy in a tournament that has showcased provincial depth and emphasised the fine margins that separate the country’s top teams.
