Sunbirds Survive Lilies and Baobabs Stun Diamonds as Power Week 2 Nears the Final Stretch
The Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 continued with the Mpumalanga Sunbirds edging the Limpopo Lilies 49-46 in a dramatic Division 2 opener at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Friday, 29 May 2026. The Sunbirds made it three wins on the spin in a contest that swung on the final Supershot period.
The Lilies led 13-12 at the first break, the Sunbirds equalising in the opening minutes of the second quarter before Lilies goal attack Kgaugelo Ramafalo struck two two-pointers to nudge her side to a 25-23 halftime lead.
The Lilies held a seven-goal advantage at the last change before the Sunbirds worked the deficit down to three early in the final quarter. A strategic stoppage from coach Faith Mobeng proved decisive, the Sunbirds converting two turnovers and the subsequent centre pass to lead by a goal with five minutes remaining. The Lilies were undone by miscommunication in the final Supershot period, allowing Sunbirds goal shooter Atacia Mbuyane to sink three singles and seal the win. Lilies goalkeeper Julia Sekwakwa earned the Player of the Match award in defeat.
The Limpopo Baobabs produced one of the great Division 2 comebacks of Power Week 2, hauling back a halftime deficit of sixteen goals to stun the Northern Cape Diamonds 54-51. The Diamonds had led 17-13 at the end of a high-quality first quarter before dominating the second, winning turnovers and racing nine goals clear early on. Baobabs goal attack Rochelle Maree kept her side in touch with three Supershot two-pointers in the third quarter, by which time the Diamonds led 48-37.
The Baobabs found another gear in the final quarter. Captain Jessica Matjiu snatched a vital intercept that cut the margin to four, and Baobabs goalkeeper Rebecca Mamabolo produced a clean intercept with both hands inside the Diamonds’ shooting circle as her side levelled matters. Maree’s late two-pointer and a single shot sealed an extraordinary 54-51 victory. Diamonds goal defence Keletso Gontho was named Player of the Match, claiming a fifth such honour of the season in defeat.
The Western Cape Tornados took early control of their Division 2 contest against the Eastern Cape Comets, opening an 18-6 first-quarter lead through aerial defence and capitalising on Comets’ errors. Tornados’ goal attack Rochelle Rossouw converted two Supershot two-pointers, and although goalkeeper Asemahle Dyidi had to be subbed off due to injury, the side maintained momentum to lead 33-13 at halftime.
Sunbirds Survive Lilies and Baobabs Stun Diamonds as Power Week 2 Nears the Final Stretch
A blockbuster day at the TNL as the Baobabs stunned the Diamonds with an extraordinary…
Brave Springbok Women’s Sevens Face Must-Win Fiji Clash After Narrow Defeats on Day 1 in Valladolid
Despite two narrow defeats to Australia and the USA, the Springbok Women’s Sevens showed tremendous…
TNL Hots Up as the Fireballs Tame the Stings and the Jaguars Singe the Flames
The Golden Fireballs tamed the Southern Stings 62-47, while the Gauteng Jaguars escaped past the…
A Confident Springbok Women’s Sevens Prepared for the HSBC SVNS World Champs in Spain
With key players back from injury and a full preparation block behind them, captain Zintle…
Sunbirds Stun Tornados as Crinums Continue on TNL Cruise Control
The Mpumalanga Sunbirds stunned the previously unbeaten Western Cape Tornados 56-52 for a breakthrough win…
Springbok Women Stay Unbeaten with 47-20 Win Over Uganda in Nairobi
Two from two for the Springbok Women as they backed up their opening win with…
The Comets pushed back early in the third quarter through their own positional changes, but Tornados’ centre Beulen Lazarus and wing defence Anja Liebenberg disrupted possession to ensure a comfortable 55-38 win. Liebenberg was named Player of the Match.
In Division 1, the Golden Fireballs continued their playoff push with a 55-37 win over the Eastern Cape Aloes, the Fireballs’ attacking platform producing yet another commanding performance. Wing attack Alex Meimaris was named Player of the Match.
The North West Flames claimed a narrow Division 1 victory of their own, edging the Kingdom Stars 40-39 in a one-goal thriller that swung on fine margins throughout. Flames’ goal shooter Kwezi Lubisi was the standout in attack and was named Player of the Match.
North West Tshukudu also returned to winning ways in Division 2, beating the Limpopo Lilies 46-43 in the day’s second meeting of these sides, Tshukudu’s wing attack Makgoshi Mogashoa earning the Player of the Match award.
In a Division 1 match, the visiting Zambezi Eagles defeated the Gauteng Jaguars 58-54 in an entertaining clash. The Jaguars led 16-12 after the first quarter before the Eagles turned the contest around to lead 28-26 at halftime. The Jaguars edged back ahead 41-38 at the last change, but the Zambezi side became ruthless in the final quarter, with three single shots and a Supershot two-pointer in the closing stages sealing the result. Eagles wing attack Prudence Sibanda earned the Player of the Match award.
With two days of fixtures still to come, the Free State Crinums remain flawless at the top of Division 1, the Golden Fireballs and Southern Stings are jockeying for second, and the Western Cape Tornados, Limpopo Baobabs and Mpumalanga Sunbirds have all positioned themselves for a decisive weekend in Division 2.
Day 8 Results for Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena on Friday, 29 May 2026
D2 Mpumalanga Sunbirds 49-46 Limpopo Lilies
D2 Western Cape Tornados 55-38 Eastern Cape Comets
D2 Northern Cape Diamonds 51-54 Limpopo Baobabs
D1 Zambezi Eagles 58-54 Gauteng Jaguars
D1 Golden Fireballs 55-37 Eastern Cape Aloes
D1 Kingdom Stars 39-40 North West Flames
D2 North West Tshukudu 46-43 Limpopo Lilies
Day 9 Fixtures for Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena on Saturday, 30 May 2026
07h00 D1 Eastern Cape Aloes v Zambezi Eagles
09h00 D2 Kingdom Queens v Eastern Cape Comets
11h00 D2 Free State Sonoblomo v Western Cape Tornados
13h00 D1 Gauteng Jaguars v Southern Stings
15h00 D1 Free State Crinums v Golden Fireballs
17h00 D2 Mpumalanga Sunbirds v Limpopo Baobabs
19h00 D1 Zambezi Eagles v Kingdom Stars
Original Copy: Kgotla PR for Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Golden Fireballs continued their strong Power Week with a commanding 55-37 victory over the Eastern Cape Aloes, strengthening their Division 1 playoff push, as the Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 continued at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Friday, 29 May 2026. All Photos: Netball SA
Photo 2 Caption: The Mpumalanga Sunbirds made it three wins on the spin by edging the Limpopo Lilies 49-46 in a tense Division 2 thriller.
Photo 3 Caption: The Western Cape Tornados returned to winning ways with an emphatic 55-38 Division 2 victory over the Eastern Cape Comets at Ellis Park.
Photo 4 Caption: The Limpopo Baobabs hauled back a sixteen-goal halftime deficit to stun the Northern Cape Diamonds 54-51 in a Division 2 comeback for the ages.
Photo 5 Caption: The visiting Zambezi Eagles continued their impressive performances, producing a riveting 58-54 victory over the Gauteng Jaguars.
Crédito: Link de origem