The SPAR NMMU Madibaz netball team are aiming to get their 2015 Varsity Netball campaign off to a good start when they take on Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town in a double-header on Sunday and Monday.
The team from Port Elizabeth will face hosts Maties at the Coetzenburg Indoor Centre in Sunday afternoon’s opening match and Ikeys at the same venue the following evening.
The Madibaz will be one of eight competing universities that also include defending champions University of the Free State (Kovsies), University of Pretoria (Tuks), Vaal University of Technology (VUT), North-West University (Pukke) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
According to netball manager Theresa le Roux, this year’s Madibaz team has a good mix of youth and experience, with five new players joining the side.
“With no teams in the A section in the local Eastern Province league it was quite challenging to get game time but otherwise our preparations have been going well,” said Le Roux.
She said the Madibaz were aiming to move up the rankings after finishing fifth last year.
They took sixth spot overall at the University Sport South Africa tournament earlier this season.
Le Roux said the Madibaz’s focus for this year’s Varsity Netball campaign was to give the younger players the opportunity to play at a high level of competition.
She said their strong senior defenders would anchor the team this year.
“Nobu Phuza and Hlumisa Sithonga have been playing top netball at the moment. Nobu was just included in the South Africa senior netball squad,” she said.
Mione Marais will lead the side with Arne Rust as her vice-captain for the tournament.
“Our first game against Maties will be a tough one because Stellenbosch is a strong side,” said Le Roux.
“But we had a good game against them at the USSAs, only losing by seven points, so we are looking forward to the rematch.”
She added that current USSA champions Tuks would be the team to beat.
Tune in to SuperSport 210 to follow Madibaz progress during the tournament.
Madibaz: Bavuyise Matyumza, Hlumisa Sithonga, Nandipha Jack, Kara Willemse, Danielle Hofstetter, Nobubele Phuza, Mione Marais (captain), Eloise Webb, Nolusindiso Twani, Arne Rust, Yolande Willemse, Phileen van Niekerk
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- Embroidery or Print? EMB Designs in Durban North Checks the Artwork and Runs a Sample Before a Full Staff, School or Club Order Is Stitched - 4 November 2026
- LaserTube Brings Fibre Laser Tube Cutting Machines to South African Fabricators, From Compact Shop Units to Bundle Loading Production Cells - 3 November 2026
- SubAlu Sublimates Photographs Onto Aluminium Panels in Randburg, From A4 Gifts and Square Prints to A1 Statement Pieces and Panoramas - 3 November 2026
- SA Heros Comics in Observatory Adds Grading Guidance and Archival Storage to Its Range of Local Superhero Comics and Collectables - 3 November 2026
- OpenCredit in Rosebank Explains in Plain Language What a Credit Score Shows, What a Full Credit Report Shows and Where Debt Review Fits In - 3 November 2026
