UJ, coached by former Proteas captain Bongi Msomi, claimed a convincing 60-43 victory at the Callie Human Hall in Bloemfontein. The result was one of four big talking points on the opening day of Bumper Weekend 2.

University of the Free State Kovsies maintained their unbeaten start, University of Pretoria-Tuks claimed their first win, and Maties bounced back against the Madibaz.

The much-anticipated clash between NWU and UJ lived up to its billing, with both sides throwing everything into a frenetic opening quarter. 

Sesandile Ngubane. Photo: Hannes Naudé/ASEM Engage

UJ held a slender 12-11 advantage after 15 minutes, but the Johannesburg outfit began to pull away in the second quarter as their attack clicked into gear.

The Orange Army opened up a significant lead at one stage, forcing the Eagles to chase the game. NWU refused to surrender, but UJ remained composed to take a 29-23 lead into half-time.

UJ then shifted through another gear in the third quarter. Goal shooter Sesandile Ngubane was outstanding in the circle, combining accuracy and composure as the two-time finalists extended their advantage to 43-30.

There was little the champions could do in the final quarter as UJ controlled the contest to seal a 60-43 win.

The Kovsies remain unbeaten, but their 50-42 victory over Wits was anything but comfortable.

The home side appeared to have the upper hand early on, only for missed opportunities to allow Wits back into the contest. The opening quarter ended all square at 13-13.

Wits then grew in confidence and made the Kovsies pay for their mistakes. The visitors edged ahead 25-23 at half-time after producing the more clinical attacking display.

Megan Erasmus. Photo: Hannes Naudé/ASEM Engage

The Kovsies responded brilliantly after the break. Tactical changes injected fresh energy into the home side, who increased the tempo and became far more disciplined with possession.

That turnaround saw them move 38-33 ahead heading into the final quarter.

Kovsies finished the job with a ruthless final 15 minutes, pulling away from their Johannesburg opponents to secure a hard-earned eight-goal victory.

Tuks finally got their Varsity Netball 2026 campaign up and running with a 59-45 victory over an energetic CUT side.

Mari du Raan. Photo: Hannes Naudé/ASEM Engage

The three-time champions made the better start and led 16-11 after the opening quarter, but CUT quickly showed they were not going to make life easy for their more experienced opponents.

The home crowd played its part, while Proteas prospect Karla Victor gave CUT plenty of attacking impetus from centre court.

Tuks gradually asserted themselves and took a 29-22 lead into half-time.

The Pretoria side then delivered their best passage of the match in the third quarter, exploiting CUT’s mistakes to race into a 47-30 advantage.

Karla Victor. Photo: Hannes Naudé/ASEM Engage

CUT responded with plenty of character in the final stanza, scoring 15 goals, but the deficit proved too great.

Tuks eventually secured their first victory, although CUT’s fighting display suggested an upset could be around the corner.

Maties closed out the day with a comfortable 58-33 win over Madibaz to return to winning ways.

The Maroon Machine wasted little time asserting themselves, racing into a 5-0 lead before Madibaz found their first goal.

Lisa Ingwersen. Photo: Hannes Naudé/ASEM Engage

Maties dominated the opening quarter to lead 15-6 and remained in control despite a stronger showing from their opponents in the second.

Madibaz tightened things up defensively and made Maties work harder for their goals, but the Stellenbosch side still held an eight-goal advantage at half-time.

The pace dropped slightly in the third quarter, although the power play provided some much-needed spark. Maties stretched their lead to 39-24 with 15 minutes remaining.

They finished strongly, keeping their composure under pressure to cruise to a 58-33 victory.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs