Their victory means they are virtually assured of a place in the semi-finals.

NMB led throughout the match until three minutes before the end when they first drew level and then passed the Eastern Cape team.

Mangaung coach Martha Mosoahle said she was very relieved to have won and kept the hopes of a semi-final berth alive.

“We lost against Tshwane this morning so I knew we had to win this match to have a chance of reaching the semis,” she said.

“I am down to nine players, so it is very tough. I changed my goal attack in the second quarter and brought Seseka Adoons on to replace Bianca Pienaar and that worked for us.”

NMB coach Lana Krige said the loss made the road to the semi-finals more difficult.

“We have to beat Dr Kenneth Kaunda tomorrow.

“Mangaung were better under pressure. We lost control of the ball in the last quarter. Our shooting average was 55 per cent and you can’t win with a shooting average like that if you lose possession,” said Krige.

Tshwane and Johannesburg continued to forge their way to the semi-finals.

Tshwane, undefeated so far, beat Mangaung 45-20 in a remarkably one-sided match. They got off to a bad start, losing their first two centre passes but came back strongly to win the match.

Coach Jenny van Dyk said she was satisfied with her young team’s progress, but not with the way they had played in the match.

“It’s just not acceptable to lose your first two centre passes. But I was pleased with the way they played in pressure situations.  They can do better and they know it.”

Tshwane went on to beat Buffalo City 50-21 in their second match of the day.

Johannesburg beat defending champions Cape Winelands 38-31, after leading 19-16 at halftime.

“I am trying to get my players to play with flair and creativity,” said Johannesburg coach Elsje Jordaan.

“There were patches of five minutes or so of very good play and I am trying to get them to be more consistent. Some of their attacking play was excellent, but some of their decision-making let them down. But they are going to be ready for what’s to come in the rest of the week.”

In the opening match of the day, Dr Kenneth Kaunda beat Buffalo City 39-34. Buffalo City have not won a match so far. Dr Kenneth Kaunda then beat Cape Winelands 44-28 in their second match of the day.

Tshwane and Johannesburg are both assured of a place in the semi-final, but Mangaung, Nelson Mandela Bay and Dr Kenneth Kaunda all have four points and Thursday’s matches will decide the other two semi-finalists.

Thursday, 11 August 2022

08:15 - Nelson Mandela bay vs Dr Kenneth Kaunda

10:50 - Mangaung vs Cape Winelands

12:05 - Tshwane vs Nelson Mandela Bay

13:20 - Dr Kenneth Kaunda vs Johannesburg