The Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 reached its penultimate day with the Free State Crinums closing out their group-stage programme unbeaten, the log leaders seeing off a determined Golden Fireballs challenge 47-37 in the headline Division 1 clash at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
The result extended the Crinums’ perfect group-stage record and set the semi-final pairings for the playoffs.
The Crinums laid down their statement early, leading 14-9 at the first break behind a stifling defensive performance from Karla Pretorius and centre Refiloe Nketsa, before stretching their advantage to ten goals at halftime.
The Fireballs threatened a comeback in the final quarter, edging the Crinums in their most productive spell of the match, but a lean Supershot period and another forensic defensive display saw Pretorius earn the Player of the Match award as the Crinums closed out the win.
“I think the biggest thing is working together as a unit, we work together on attack and we work together on defence.”
Free State Crinums Assistant Coach, Sne Mdletshe
Fireballs head coach Dr Elsje Jordaan, on the losing side, took the long view of her side’s growth across the Power Week. “A massive improvement on our side from Power Week 1 to now, we’re growing, we’re learning, we’re coming together nicely.”
In the day’s other Division 1 contest of the chasing pack, the Southern Stings produced four consistent quarters to see off the Gauteng Jaguars 56-45 and strengthen their position near the top of the standings.
Goal shooter Sian Moore set the tone with an early three-goal lead, the Stings led by seven at the first break and by eight at halftime, and even an injury to goal defence Kelly Du Toit failed to disrupt their control. Stings goal defence Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen was named Player of the Match.
Stings head coach Dr Freda Kemp pinpointed discipline as the difference. “I’m very proud of them for the discipline today, I think having a lot of play can sometimes be to your detriment.”
The loss notwithstanding, the Jaguars look ahead to the playoffs with a striking historical echo.
“We’ve been in this situation in 2022, took out the Fireballs in the semi-finals and took the trophy.”
Gauteng Jaguars Head Coach, Rozanne Matthyse
The Eastern Cape Aloes claimed an entertaining 55-53 victory over the visiting Zambezi Eagles in a non-counting fixture, Aloes goal shooter Zandré Smit earning the Player of the Match award.
The Zambezi side, who have featured throughout Power Week 2 in fixtures that do not count to the standings, finished their Saturday programme on a high, returning later in the day to overpower the Kingdom Stars 65-43, Eagles goalkeeper Perisinevi Tabviroona named Player of the Match.
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In Division 2, the Limpopo Baobabs continued their extraordinary Power Week form with a 48-46 win over the Mpumalanga Sunbirds, sealing a semi-final berth in a contest that went to the final Supershot period.
Baobabs goal attack Rochelle Maree was again the architect, her three first-quarter two-pointers helping her side into a 19-12 lead, and her late single shot proving decisive after the Sunbirds had reduced the margin to one in the closing minutes. Sunbirds goalkeeper Siphokazi Madonsela was named Player of the Match in defeat.
The Western Cape Tornados strengthened their own semi-final case with a 59-52 win over Free State Sonoblomo, leading 17-12 at the first break and 35-26 at halftime before holding firm in a low-scoring final quarter, Tornados goal shooter Liandré Kriel earning the Player of the Match award.
The Kingdom Queens kept their semi-final hopes alive with a one-goal 52-51 victory over the Eastern Cape Comets, centre Asanda Ndaba named Player of the Match in a contest that went down to the wire.
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With Power Week 2 reaching its conclusion on Sunday, the semi-final pairings for the final Power Week 3 are now set, the Free State Crinums to face the Gauteng Jaguars and the Golden Fireballs to meet the Southern Stings in two weeks’ time, with a fortnight’s break before the league reconvenes for its decisive stage.
Day 9 Results for Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena on Saturday, 30 May 2026
D1 Eastern Cape Aloes 55-53 Zambezi Eagles
D2 Kingdom Queens 52-51 Eastern Cape Comets
D2 Free State Sonoblomo 52-59 Western Cape Tornados
D1 Gauteng Jaguars 45-56 Southern Stings
D1 Free State Crinums 47-37 Golden Fireballs
D2 Mpumalanga Sunbirds 46-48 Limpopo Baobabs
D1 Zambezi Eagles 65-43 Kingdom Stars
Day 10 Fixtures for Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena on Sunday, 31 May 2026
07h00 D2 Limpopo Lilies v Kingdom Queens
09h00 D2 Mpumalanga Sunbirds v Eastern Cape Comets
11h00 D1 Southern Stings v Zambezi Eagles
13h00 D2 North West Tshukudu v Western Cape Tornados
Original Copy: Kgotla PR for Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Free State Crinums closed out the Telkom Netball League group stage unbeaten with a 47-37 victory over the Golden Fireballs, confirming their semi-final pole position, as Power Week 2 continued at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Saturday, 30 May 2026. All Photos: Netball SA
Photo 2 Caption: The Southern Stings produced four consistent quarters to see off the Gauteng Jaguars 56-45 in a strong Division 1 performance.
Photo 3 Caption: The Limpopo Baobabs edged the Mpumalanga Sunbirds 48-46 in a Division 2 thriller to seal a place in the Telkom Netball League semi-finals.
Photo 4 Caption: The Western Cape Tornados strengthened their semi-final case with a composed 59-52 Division 2 victory over Free State Sonoblomo.
Photo 5 Caption: The Kingdom Queens kept their semi-final hopes alive by edging the Eastern Cape Comets 52-51 in a one-goal Division 2 thriller at Ellis Park.
