Two games and two victories are not too shabby, but Tuks’s real battle to win the Varsity Netball Tournament still lies ahead.
On Saturday in Soweto, Tuks will be playing Kovsies and, on Monday, against Maties. If Tuks can win both games, they are nearly sure to contest the semifinals.
But it is going to take guts and determination. Maties are the defending Varsity Champions. Maties also won the USSA Tournament in July by beating Tuks in the final. The one sure thing when Tuks and Kovsies face off on a netball court is that it will be a humdinger as both teams are known for their never say die attitudes.
Milla Coetzee, who was on Monday the player of the game against UWC, said for Tuks to go all the way, it would mean that from Saturday, the team will have to make sure they make each of the 60 minutes count.
“What cost us during the USSA Tournament was that we would be competitive for 15 minutes, then at some stage, it was as if we lost focus. Making costly mistakes. We did the same in our first game on Sunday against UJ. In doing so, we have put ourselves under unnecessary pressure. To win, you need to be at your best all the time. We have worked hard to do so in the build-up to the Varsity Tournament.”
Coetzee is quite a versatile player. She can play wing defence, wing attack or centre. But she prefers to play centre.
“Playing centre is like being in the team’s engine room. You are the playmaker, the link between defence and attack. It means you got to think on your feet. I have certainly benefitted from playing wing defence and wing attack.”
As to what she considers her best asset as a centre, Coetzee said she thinks it is her speed and endurance.
“I love running. Over weekends when times allow for it, I like to go for a five to 10-kilometre run. The goal is to hopefully be fit enough to run the Comrades two years from now. But first, I will attempt to run a marathon. Running has helped me to be a better netball player. I can run the whole game. I won’t lie. There are times when the continuous running takes its toll, but when you play to help a team win, it is a small price to pay.”
In their first Varsity encounter on Sunday, Tuks had to keep their wits about them to beat UJ 58-53. On Monday, Tuks outplayed UWC to win 65-48.
After the first two rounds, Maties, Tuks and Northwest are the only three unbeaten teams. All three teams got 8 points on the log. Kovsies are fourth with five points. They lost 46-43 to Maties on Monday.