Fireballs Claim Bragging Rights in Pulse-Pounding TNL Gauteng Derby
Day 7 of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) lived up to its promise of high-octane action, delivering thrilling and tightly contested matches that showcased the intense competition brewing at the Sun City Super Bowl and Sun Park outside Rustenburg, in the North West Province, on Friday, 2 May 2025
With Power Week 1 in full swing, the league is undeniably bringing the heat, and the highly-anticipated Gauteng Derby between the Golden Fireballs and the Jaguars lived up to its hype, with both teams giving it their all in a spectacular and pulse-pounding clash.
The Fireballs ultimately emerged victorious, claiming bragging rights in an intense encounter. The match was marked by personal battles on the court, with both teams determined to come out on top.
The Fireballs took an early lead, but the Jaguars fought back, levelling the score at halftime. The third quarter saw the teams neck and neck, with the Jaguars briefly taking the lead. However, the Fireballs regained momentum and ultimately secured the win.
“We’re growing as a unit, and I think we’re gaining a little bit of composure. We’ve secured the two points, which is what we needed. We’re becoming more consistent, and our centre players had a good game.”
Fireballs Coach, Dr. Elsje Jordaan
The Jaguars’ coach, Rozanne Matthyse, reflected on her team’s performance, saying, “We showed glimpses of our potential, particularly in the third quarter, but unfortunately, it came too late. We tried to play outside and risked too many balls and then faced double blocks. We’ll regroup, fix our issues, and come back stronger.”
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In earlier matches, an electrifying Division 2 encounter, Tshukudu pulled off a stunning upset against top-of-the-log Tornados. Tshukudu’s dominance in intercepts and effective defensive strategy were key factors in their win. Goal shooter Anri Liebenberg’s 92% shooting accuracy was also instrumental in their success.
“Today didn’t go the way we had planned, but I think it was a good game,” said Tornados Coach, Lucy Twani. “We lost concentration in the final quarter, and that’s where we lost it.”
“I’m thrilled with the win. Our bench support was incredible, and my players responded well when I told them to communicate better at the circle. It was a tough game, but we came out on top.”
Tshukudu Coach, Vivian Foko
The North West Flames delivered an impressive performance, securing a 10-goal win over the Spar Baby Proteas in the under-21’s final match for Power Week 1.
Both teams were looking to bounce back from previous defeats, but the Flames dominated from the start. The Flames took an early lead, winning the first quarter 8-13 and extending their advantage in the second quarter, 19-24. They continued to pull away in the third quarter, 29-38 and maintained their lead to the end.
After the match, Baby Protea’s coach Precious Mthembu reflected, “Not the results we would have hoped for, but I think the girls played well overall. We lost a lot of centre passes and turned the ball over, which cost us. We didn’t convert our chances, but I’m proud of how they’ve grown. We need to work on understanding the crucial moments where we can catch up.”
Flames coach Elsunet du Plessis praised her team’s performance, saying, “I’m thrilled with the win, and I can see the smiles on the girls’ faces.
“In the second half, there was a moment where we were dipping a bit, but I reminded them to stick to the plan and play for each other. The Under-21s played well, especially defensively. For us, it’s about playing as a team, taking care of the ball, maintaining possession, and converting our chances into goals.”
Flames Coach, Elsunet du Plessis
The Flames will be looking to continue their winning streak in their next match.
The Sunbirds edged out the KD Stars 41-39 in a nail-biting finale to Division B action. After a slow start, the Sunbirds staged a remarkable turnaround in the second quarter, which proved pivotal.
A tactical switch saw Atacia Mbuyane move into a more attacking role, forming a potent partnership with Sylvia Lebelo and feeding her precision passes into the shooting circle. The Sunbirds’ defence was rock-solid, forcing five crucial turnovers in the shooting circle.
The match was intensely contested, with the KD Stars dominating the first quarter 13-7. However, the Sunbirds fought back to level the score at halftime, 20-20. The second half saw both teams give their all, with the Sunbirds taking a narrow lead into the final quarter, 30-28.
Ultimately, the Sunbirds’ composure and discipline paid off, as they conceded fewer penalties and capitalised on their opportunities to secure the win.
The Telkom Netball League is heating up, with exciting matches and impressive team performances.
Matches are broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4 channel 209. Tickets are available on the Netball South Africa (NSA) website here at just R100.Matches are broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4 channel 209. Tickets are available on the Netball South Africa (NSA) website here at just R100.
Telkom Netball League Results on Friday, 2 May 2025
Free State Sonoblomo 47-51 Northern Cape Diamonds
Limpopo Lillies 44-52 KD Queens
Eastern Cape Aloes 47-48 Limpopo Baobabs
Tornados 50-53 North West Tshukudu
Spar Baby Proteas 41-51 North West Flames
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 41-39 KD Stars
Gauteng Jaguars 43-50 Golden Fireballs
Telkom Netball League Results on Thursday, 1 May 2025
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 60-27 Limpopo Lillies
Southern Stings 63-40 Spar Baby Proteas
Gauteng Jaguars 56-49 Zambezi Eagles
Tornados 60-42 Free State Sonoblomo
Northern Cape Diamonds 32-39 Eastern Cape Comets
North West Flames 45-68 Free State Crinums
Eastern Cape Aloes 40-47 Golden Fireballs
KD Stars 45-41 North West Tshukudu
Southern Stings 57-61 Zambezi Eagles
KD Queens 37-54 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
Gauteng Jaguars 65-38 Limpopo Baobabs
Telkom Netball League Results on Wednesday, 30 April 2025
North West Tshukudu 70-36 Northern Cape Diamonds
Zambezi Eagles 49-47 Eastern Cape Aloes
Free State Sonoblomo 46-44 Limpopo Lillies
Eastern Cape Comets 30-57 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
Gauteng Jaguars 52-50 Southern Stings
KD Stars 46-37 Tornados
Spar Baby Proteas 62-51 Zambezi Eagles
North West Flames 64-38 Limpopo Baobabs
North West Tshukudu 53-37 KD Queens
Free State Crinums 45-50 Golden Fireballs
Telkom Netball League Results on Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Eastern Cape Comets 35-37 Limpopo Lillies
KD Stars 62-44 Free State Sonoblomo
Gauteng Jaguars 55-51 Spar Baby Proteas
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 45-48 North West Tshukudu
Southern Stings 57-57 North West Flames
KD Queens 44-44 Eastern Cape Comets
Eastern Aloes 36-56 Free State Crinums
Spar Baby Proteas 46-59 Limpopo Baobabs
Limpopo Lillies 23-59 Tornados
Telkom Netball League Results on Monday 28 April 2025
Limpopo Lillies 38-36 Northern Cape Diamonds
Zambezi Eagles 56-48 Limpopo Baobabs
KD Queens 59-47 Free State Sonoblomo
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 38-45 Tornados
Spar Baby Proteas 54-47 Eastern Aloes
Golden Fireballs 63-42 Southern Stings
Eastern Cape Comets 31-48 KD Stars
Free State Crinums 59-38 Gauteng Jaguars
Telkom Netball League Results on Sunday 27 April 2025
Golden Fireballs 61-40 Zambezi Eagles
Limpopo Baobabs 34-68 Free State Crinums
Tornados 51-23 KD Queens
Northern Cape Diamonds 27-53 KD Stars
Gauteng Jaguars 57-60 North West Flames
Tshukudu 52-37 Limpopo Lillies
Eastern Cape Comets 48-47 Free State Sonoblomo
Limpopo Baobabs 48-52 Southern Stings
Golden Fireballs 68-35 Spar Baby Proteas
Telkom Netball League Results on Saturday 26 April 2025
Mpumalanga Sunbirds 52-45 Free State Sonoblomo
Free State Crinums 58-46 Spar Baby Proteas
Tornados 54-33 Northern Cape Diamonds
North West Flames 51-46 Zambezi Eagles
Golden Fireballs 71-35 Limpopo Baobabs
KD Queens 47-36 KD Kings
Southern Stings 62-34 Eastern Cape Aloe
Telkom Netball League Fixtures on Saturday, 3 May 2025
07:00 Comets vs Tornados
09:00 Diamonds vs Sunbirds
11:00 Flames vs Fireballs
13:00 KD Stars vs Lillies
15:00 Aloes vs Jaguars
17:00 Tshukudu vs Sonoblomo
19:00 Crinums vs Stings
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The highly-anticipated Gauteng Derby between the Golden Fireballs and the Jaguars lived up to its hype with the Fireballs claiming bragging rights in an intense encounter on Day 7 at the Sun City Super Bowl and Sun Park outside Rustenburg, in the North West Province, on Friday, 2 May, 2025. All Photos: Netball South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Tshukudu’s dominance in intercepts and defence saw them pull off a stunning upset against top-of-the-log Tornados.
Photo 3 Caption: The North West Flames delivered an impressive performance to secure a 10-goal win over the Spar Baby Proteas.
Photo 4 Caption: After a remarkable turnaround, the Sunbirds edged out the KD Stars 41-39 in a nail-biting Division B finale.
Photo 5 Caption: The Limpopo Baobabs edged the Eastern Cape Aloes 47-48 for their first Division 1 win of the season.
Crédito: Link de origem