In what was one of the most exciting finals since the start of the Varsity Netball competition, the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Kovsies beat their biggest rivals in extra time by 58 – 55.
It was the home final that the Kovsies could only ever dream of.
On Monday, 7 October, the Callie Human Centre was packed with a supporting home crowd when the Kovsies became the Varsity Netbal champions for the fitfh time.
The match was played against the University of Johannesburg (UJ), who was defeated in the final for the second year running.
At the end of the first quarter, Kovsies held a slim 13 – 12 lead. At halftime, they still led with 23 – 21.
The two teams kept their wits about them, and both battled to get the upper hand.
Tensions ran high in the final quarter with the crowd in full support as the UFS’ Xandri Fourie’s goal sent the match into overtime at 47 – 47.
In the final seven minutes of the match, Kovsies barely held the whip hand and beat the UJ to be crowned the champions.
Refiloe Nketsa of the Kovsies team was named player of the match.
