Monday is the day for Tuks netball fans to turn out in force at the university’s Rembrandt Hall to support the team in the Varsity Netball Tournament semifinals.
Why is this important? Ask any of Tuks’s sports teams, and they will tell you fan support means a great deal. That “Tuks of Niks” chant often provides that extra oomph, especially when things get tough on the court or field.
Another reason the Tuks netball team will rely on its supporters this Monday is that it is missing three key players for the semifinal. Luca Keun (defender), Kyla Dames (captain and centre), and Kamogelo Maseko (goal attack) have all been selected for the Proteas squad competing in the African Cup Tournament in Kenya.
Phophi Nematangari, who is standing in as Tuks captain, admits the three will be missed.
“They played an integral part in getting us to qualify for the semifinals. The team dynamic will change. The challenge on Monday will be not to disappoint. We need to win so that when Kyla, Kamogela and Luca are back, we can play the final and win.”
Nematangari is no stranger to captaining teams. Last year she captained the “Baby Proteas” at the Netball World Youth Cup Tournament.
“Captaincy comes naturally to me. I don’t feel pressure. As captain, I try to lead by example. My actions speak louder than my words. When things get tough on the court, I am the player who puts my hand up and says, ‘We need to keep going’. I pride myself on bringing energy to any team,” said the 22-year-old, who is doing the diploma in entrepreneurship. She completed her BCom studies last year.
On Sunday, Tuks caused a major upset in that very same Rembrandt Hall by beating UJ 50–44. Fittingly, Nematangari was named Player of the Match; she was brilliant at intercepting the ball at critical moments. However, she quickly pointed out that her performance was a team effort.
“My teammates are my ‘partners in crime’. I couldn’t do what I do if they don’t pressure our opponents and set up structures from which I can intercept. My role is to watch the ball and bide my time for the right moment to ‘strike’.”
She is proud of how the first-year players have grown and developed during the Varsity Tournament.
“Only five of us—myself, Kyla, Luca, Kamogela, and Nonnie Mjaliswa—had played Varsity Netball before. For all the other players, it was a first. I always say the Varsity Tournament is like a journey; you never know what will happen from one week to the next. During the opening weekend, we lost to Kovsies and North-West. It was not how we wanted to start, but it brought us closer together as a team. There was no time for self-pity; we worked harder, and the team began to build momentum and play with greater confidence.”
Monday’s game in the Rembrandt Hall starts at 17:00.
