Although the match is being played in Bloemfontein, it is technically an away game for the five-time champions, since UJ does not have the facilities to host the event. UJ have been one of the standout teams in the competition, making this a daunting assignment for the Kovsies.

However, if there is one place where UFS will fancy their chances, it is the Callie Human Centre.

Liamé de Lange. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Orange Army have been impressive throughout the competition, with their only setback coming in a 50-44 defeat to the University of Pretoria Tuks. UJ also have bragging rights over the Kovsies, having beaten them 50-40 at Wits in Johannesburg in their most recent meeting.

UFS, meanwhile, lost twice during the round-robin phase and finished fourth on the log. Despite those setbacks, there was never much doubt that the defending champions would book their place in the knockout stages.

Now, however, it is time for the Kovsies to shift through the gears.

With a home crowd behind them and a place in the final at stake, captain Megan Erasmus says the team is ready to embrace the challenge.

“I’m just very excited about the semi-final – it’s obviously going to be a good game against UJ,” said Erasmus.

“They’re very strong opponents. They were unbeaten until this past weekend when Tuks beat them.

“We’re really going to take this opportunity to go to the final, and then we want to win the Varsity Cup and get the sixth star on our dresses. I’m just so proud of the team.

Bianca Lubbe. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We are a mixture of seniors, first-years and then people in their third year. It’s such a fun team, always laughing and just really working hard.”

The Callie Human Centre has long been a difficult venue for visiting teams, and Erasmus believes the home support could provide the extra spark the Kovsies need.

“The semi-final is obviously at the Callie Human Centre, so we’re very excited about the home-ground advantage,” Erasmus added.

“The Callie always has an amazing atmosphere, and it’s just so great to see all the UFS people come to support us, and everybody from Bloemfontein, actually.

“Our motto is just that everybody believes we’re going to get the sixth star on our dress, and we work hard every day, just like the other teams. This week, we’re just going into some preparation. We’re actually doing some analysis on UJ now, so we’re very excited.

“We have a very big variety of players in our team. We have strong players in each position. I think we have two strong players for each position, so it’s a very strong side from our side.

“Not everything went well in this Varsity Netball, but you know what? Rome wasn’t built in a day. We believe that we learned from each game, and we’ve grown so much as a team, working together.”

Mari du Raan. Photo: Morgan Piek

The prize is clear for the Kovsies: two wins stand between them and another Varsity Netball title, and the chance to add a sixth star to the famous UFS dresses.

Monday night’s highly anticipated semi-final at the Callie Human Centre gets underway at 19:00.

Earlier in the evening, Tuks will face defending champions North-West University at Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria in the first semi-final, with that match starting at 17:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs