With the first semi-final of the Varsity Netball Cup taking place on Monday, 10 October 2022, Netball Junkie shares a breakdown of the stats between the two teams: NWU Netball and UFS Kovsies Netball.
The first semi-final will see NWU Netball take on the defending champions UFS Kovsies Netball at the Callie Human Hall (Bloemfontein) in what promises to be a thrilling match! The two sides faced each other in a nail-biting performance in Round 7, with UFS Kovsies Netball defeating NWU Netball by 5 goals.
Let’s look at how both teams have performed in the Round Robin matches of the Varsity Netball Cup and more.
Head-To-Head: NWU Netball vs UFS Kovsies Netball
Matches Since 2013
The sides have faced each other 14 times since 2013 with UFS Kovsies Netball winning 8 out of those 14 matches. NWU Netball have 5 wins over UFS Kovsies Netball, with one draw between the two in 2014.
Highest Winning Victories
2021 – UFS Kovsies Netball defeated NWU Netball (76 – 52)
2016 – NWU Netball defeated UFS Kovsies Netball (58 – 36)
Closest Margin Matches
2021 – UFS Kovsies Netball defeated NWU Netball (66 – 65)
2017 – NWU Netball defeated UFS Kovsies Netball (48 – 44)
Previous Semi-Final Appearances Against Each Other
2014 – UFS Kovsies Netball defeat NWU Netball (51 – 45)
2015 – NWU Netball defeat UFS Kovsies Netball (56 – 48)
2017 – NWU Netball defeat UFS Kovsies Netball (53 – 37)
2021 – UFS Kovsies Netball defeat NWU Netball (66 – 65)
NWU Netball’s Road To The Semi-Finals
NWU Netball had a strong and consistent start to the Varsity Netball Cup, winning their first 4 rounds, reaching over 80 goals in two of those matches. This allowed them to gain a lot of additional bonus points, putting them in the 2nd position on the log at the end of the Round Robin rounds.
In the first four rounds they defeated UJ Netball, UWC Netball, Madibaz Netball and TUT Netball. Their first loss came in round five against Maties Netball, but they came back in the sixth round against UP Tuks Netball. They were beaten by UFS Kovsies Netball in the final of the Round Robin rounds after a thrilling match from both teams.
Round Robin Results For NWU Netball
Round 1: Defeated UJ Netball (60 – 48)
Round 2: Defeated UWC Netball (72 – 34)
Round 3: Defeated Madibaz Netball (84 – 52)
Round 4: Defeated TUT Netball (89 – 20)
Round 5: Lost against Maties Netball (56 – 51)
Round 6: Defeated UP Tuks Netball (68 – 59)
Round 7: Lost against UFS Kovsies Netball (65 – 60)
2022 Season Record For NWU Netball
Won: 5
Lost: 2
Goal Difference: +149
2022 season final ladder position: 2nd
Average goals per game: 69
Average goal percentage: 79%
Average interceptions per game: 11
Average penalties per game: 50
Best quarter: 1st
Worst quarter: 2nd
UFS Kovsies Netball’s Road To The Semi-Finals
UFS Kovsies had a strong and consistent game against UWC Netball in the first round. They then came up against Maties Netball, who they played in the 2021 final. UFS Kovsies Netball fought hard, but lost to Maties Netball in the 2nd match.
UFS Kovsies Netball came up against UJ Netball in the third round and lost this game by 11 goals.
After round four, they were able to become more consistent. They defeated Madibaz Netball, had a great defeat against their arch-enemies UP Tuks Netball, defeated TUT Netball and had a thriller of a seventh Round Robin match against NWU Netball, where they won. Much of the seventh Round Robin match was dependent on the matchup between Elmeré van der Berg (GS for NWU Netball) and Ané Retief (GK for UFS Kovsies Netball). This matchup is definitely one to watch again in the semi-final.
Round Robin Results For UFS Kovsies Netball
Round 1: Defeated UWC Netball (65 – 43)
Round 2: Lost against Maties Netball (53 – 57)
Round 3: Lost against UJ Netball (54 – 43)
Round 4: Defeated Madibaz Netball (66 – 25)
Round 5: Defeated UP Tuks Netball (58 – 48)
Round 6: Defeated TUT Netball (81 – 21)
Round 7: Defeated NWU Netball (65 – 60)
2022 Season Record For UFS Kovsies Netball
Won: 5
Lost: 2
Goal Difference: +123
2022 season final ladder position: 3rd
Average goals per game: 62
Average goal percentage: 78%
Average intercepts per game: 13
Average penalties per game: 49
Best quarter: 2nd
Worst quarter: 3rd
What The Stats Mean
NWU Netball lead the competition in terms of goals scored, with Elmeré van der Berg putting up a high volume of shots. UFS Kovsies Netball, who lead the competition in intercepts, need to use their strong defensive block to turn the ball before it is able to be fed to van der Berg.
The Semi-Final
Ones to watch are definitely the matchup between Elmeré van der Berg (GS/GA of NWU Netball) and Ané Retief (GK/GD of UFS Kovsies Netball). It’s going to be a tough battle and we are excited to see who comes out on top.
In terms of the midcourt players, keep a lookout to see if Bianca de Vee comes back from injury, otherwise it will be interesting to see what combination Burta de Kock uses for the game.
The midcourt for NWU Netball will have a tough task on their hands bringing the ball to circle edge with UFS Kovsies Netball having a solid defensive unit that are able to force long balls into the shooting circle.
The 2nd quarter is going to be a huge factor in the semi-final as this is UFS Kovsies Netball’s best quarter and NWU Netball’s weakest quarter. So, keep an eye on that 2nd quarter score to see who performs.
While NWU Netball have their set shooting circle, it will be interesting to see which combination of shooters solidifies in the match for UFS Kovsies. Rolene Streutker and Alyssa Trahms from UFS Kovsies Netball need to step up in this game to assist and take the pressure off Xandri Fourie in the shooting circle in order for them to do well and possibly win the game.
Predictions
Nicol Pappas (Netball Junkie Founder and Social Media Manager): UFS Kovsies Netball
De Villiers Botha (Netball Junkie Head of Design): NWU Netball
