Tshwane, the only unbeaten side left in the tournament, will face hosts Cape Town in Tuesday’s final after the home team comfortably beat Mangaung 68-53 in the other semi-final. The first semi-final produced a contest that had everything, with the two sides locked in a fierce battle throughout.

Neither team managed to establish a meaningful advantage, with the scores level at 26-26 at half-time.

Johannesburg edged two goals clear by the end of the third quarter, but Tshwane refused to panic and quickly hauled themselves back into contention in the final period.

The Johannesburg versus Tshwane semi-final went into extra-time. Photo: Netball SA

With only 10 seconds remaining, Tshwane had an opportunity to move ahead, but Johannesburg wing defence Phila Ntuli produced a crucial intercept to deny them and force the match into extra time.

The drama continued.

Once again, the teams could not be separated, with Tinita van Dyk keeping Johannesburg alive by scoring with virtually no time remaining to make it 55-55 at the end of extra-time.

That sent the match into extended extra time, where the sudden-death rule applied. The first team to establish a two-goal lead would be declared the winner.

Johannesburg had the advantage of the opening centre pass but surrendered possession, handing Tshwane a golden opportunity.

Ine-Mari Venter kept her cool when it mattered most, scoring the final two goals to seal a remarkable victory for Tshwane.

Tshwane ended Johannesburg’s four-year reign. Photo: Netball SA

The former Proteas international, who earned more than 50 caps for South Africa, admitted there was little time to think about the magnitude of the moment.

“Those last moments… I don’t think there was anything going through my head, to be honest. I think it was just being clinical when we have the ball in our hands, so we really needed to finish it.”

Tshwane coach Rozanne Matthyse was understandably relieved after watching her team survive one of the tightest matches of the championships.

Cape Town sent the Mangaung team home in the second semi-final. Photo: Netball SA

Tshwane finished sixth at last year’s tournament, making Monday’s result all the more significant for Matthyse and her players.

“There were a lot of emotions for me in that moment… We came sixth last year, so there was a lot of digging deep and hard work that went into that introspection for me personally as a coach as well.

“I think you learn a lot from those moments, those losing moments. So, for me, it was utter relief that this game was over, first of all, and then I was so proud that we pulled it through.”

Tshwane had beaten Johannesburg 53-46 in their round-robin encounter on Sunday, but Matthyse admitted she was impressed by the response from the defending champions.

“For Johannesburg to come through so hard on us – we didn’t expect that. So, I think they also deserve a well done on a great game and giving us a great game…”

She believes the contest was also a powerful reminder of the quality of netball in South Africa.

Rozanne Matthyse. Photo: Netball SA

“That was a brilliant showcase of the talent we have in our country, and just the fight both teams had to win was pretty amazing.”

Cape Town had a considerably more comfortable afternoon in the second semi-final, taking control against Mangaung from the opening whistle.

The hosts raced into a 38-24 half-time lead before maintaining their dominance after the break to run out 68-53 winners.

Mangaung will meet Johannesburg on Tuesday to contest the bronze medal. Photo: Netball SA

Cape Town had already beaten Mangaung in their final round-robin match earlier on Monday, but coach Freda Kemp was determined to ensure her players treated the semi-final as a fresh contest.

“We know they are a very good side and they can play finals, so I said to the girls: ‘It’s a clean slate. We need to go from the first whistle and not give them a chance to come back if we’re ahead.’ And they did just that, so I’m very proud.”

The hosts will now face an unbeaten Tshwane team in Tuesday’s final.

Cape Town player Asemahle Dyidi believes they have what it takes to end Tshwane’s perfect run.

“We are capable of beating them. We did play them, and definitely we can do it and also come back with this one. It will be a huge fight, but we are prepared for them.”

Johannesburg will have another opportunity to leave the championships with silverware when they take on Tshwane in the Under-21 A section final.

The defending champions booked their place in the final with a convincing 55-33 victory over Royal Bafokeng.

Dr Freda Kemp. Photo: Netball SA

Tshwane, meanwhile, defeated Mangaung 47-40 to set up another showdown with Johannesburg.

The Gauteng side will be targeting a third consecutive Under-21 title.

The senior third-place playoff, along with the senior and Under-21 finals, will be broadcast live on SuperSport on Tuesday.

Results

Senior A Section

Semi-finals
Tshwane 57-55 Johannesburg (extended extra time)

Cape Town 68-53 Mangaung

Final round-robin matches
Mangaung 50-67 Cape Town

Johannesburg 47-38 eThekwini

Dr Kenneth Kaunda 60-53 Alfred Nzo

Tshwane 56-31 Nelson Mandela Bay

Botswana 43-49 Namibia

Under-21 A Section

Semi-finals
Johannesburg 55-33 Royal Bafokeng

Mangaung 40-47 Tshwane

Final round-robin matches

Tshwane 41-49 Johannesburg

Dr Kenneth Kaunda 37-49 Cape Town

Mangaung 58-27 Ekurhuleni

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs