The Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 continued with the Northern Cape Diamonds overpowering the Eastern Cape Comets 65-39 in a Division 2 contest at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. The Diamonds carried that confidence into a second fixture later in the day, setting up a thrilling finish against the Kingdom Queens.
The day’s biggest upset came in Division 2, where the Mpumalanga Sunbirds stunned the previously unbeaten Western Cape Tornados 56-52 to claim a breakthrough first win of Power Week 2 and end the log leaders’ perfect run. The result was a maiden victory for a Sunbirds side that had gone winless through the week, and it sent a timely jolt through the Division 2 standings.
Sunbirds coach Faith Mobeng said the win was a much-needed lift for her squad. “I think it means it’s definitely a confidence booster. The girls have been struggling. I mean we struggled with two draws, two losses, and now finally they broke through into a win.”
“So I think it’s going to be a very good morale booster, team booster, confidence booster, and that’s what’s important. We’ve been lacking a lot of confidence in the team, so it’s going to help a lot.”
Mpumalanga Sunbirds Coach, Faith Mobeng
Although the result did not move the Sunbirds on the log, Mobeng believed it kept her side’s hopes alive in a tightly bunched division. “It still gives us a bit of, I almost want to say hope, that anything can still happen, because that’s where we are and that’s why we fought the way we fought today. It wasn’t a let’s just go play because it doesn’t matter what happens on the log, it actually does matter.”
Mobeng was already turning her attention to the next assignment. “We definitely take the win. So what we normally say is whether it’s a loss or a win, you take it in a moment and then we move on and we work on the next game. So we’ve got Tshukudu tomorrow, so that’s who we’re going to have to be preparing for.”
In the day’s other Division 2 fixtures, the Limpopo Baobabs edged the Limpopo Lilies 53-51, while North West Tshukudu and the Kingdom Queens could not be separated, sharing the spoils in a 42-42 stalemate.
Free State Crinums Make It Three from Three with TNL Demolition of Kingdom Stars
Their perfect Telkom Netball League record rolls on as the Free State Crinums crushed the…
Xandri Fourie Shines Again for the Crinums as Tinita van Dyk Leads the Fireballs to Crushing Win
Saturday belonged to the unbeaten as the Free State Crinums downed the Gauteng Jaguars and…
Telkom Netball League: Crinums and Tornados Set the Power Week 1 Standard
Free State Crinums and Western Cape Tornados emerge from Telkom Netball League Power Week 1…
Crinums and Tornados Tighten Grip as TNL Power Week 1 Enters Climactic Final Day
Free State Crinums crushed the Gauteng Jaguars in Workers Day action while Golden Fireballs bounced…
Crinums Extend Unbeaten TNL Run as Diamonds Edge Sonoblomo in Match of the Day
The Telkom Netball League Day 7 delivered momentum shifts and statement performances as the Free…
North West Flames Stun Golden Fireballs 50-49 in Thriller as TNL Day 6 Delivers Championship Drama
Pure netball drama as the North West Flames edged Golden Fireballs 50-49 in a Supershot…
In Division 1, the Southern Stings secured second position on the log standings after beating the Kingdom Stars 55-41. The Stings showed composure and clinical finishing, particularly on turnovers, while the Stars struggled to make the most of their defensive efforts. The Stars forced errors and contested possession but often missed crucial intercept opportunities, tipping the ball instead of securing clean takes, and trailed by nine goals at the end of the first quarter.
The Stars showed improvement in their ability to create turnovers, matching the Stings more closely in that department. However, the KZN side continued to battle with conversion, often failing to turn promising passages of play into goals. Both teams recorded a seventy percent pass completion rate by halftime, but the difference lay in execution inside the shooting circle, where the Stings did better to create a 30-19 lead at the break.
The Stars made two defensive changes in the third quarter, Nozipho Ntshangase moving from goalkeeper to goal defence and Thulisile Maduna taking over the goalkeeper bib. The changes were effective, the Stars showing greater urgency to cut into the deficit, but the Stings were not willing to back down and edged the quarter 14-10 to extend their lead to 41-27. The final quarter was a balanced tactical affair, but the Stings’ quicker ball movement, including bullet circle feeds the Stars defenders could not contain, saw them home.
Meanwhile, the Free State Crinums continued their unbeaten run, beating the North West Flames 59-37. From the first whistle, the Crinums stamped their authority and raced to a dominant 19-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Flames struggled to contain the Crinums’ fast-paced attacking combinations and were further troubled by turnovers and miscommunications inside the shooting circle, which the Crinums punished consistently.
The Flames brought in Adivhaho Tshivhiahuvhi at centre to try to match the Crinums’ energy, and although they found success in the Telkom Supershot through a two-pointer from goal attack Kwezi Lubisi and a double from Sunel Smit, the Crinums still led 32-18 at halftime.
The Crinums were too strong and astute in defence, getting in front of the ball and applying relentless pressure to restrict the Flames to just ten goals in the third quarter as they opened a 44-28 lead. The unbeaten side controlled the tempo with ease, combining disciplined defence with fluent attacking play. Goal attack Xandri Fourie was again instrumental, orchestrating play into the shooting circle and claiming her fourth Player of the Match accolade as her side registered a 59-37 victory.
In Division 2, the Kingdom Queens looked to redeem themselves following an earlier defeat to North West Tshukudu, facing a Northern Cape Diamonds side high in confidence after their morning win over the Comets. The opening quarter went goal for goal before Diamonds wing defence Debora Kitenge produced an outside-arm intercept to help her side into a 12-10 lead.
The intensity continued with the score level at 17-17 midway through the second quarter. The Queens edged ahead briefly with three consecutive goals, prompting the Diamonds to introduce Jana Swart at goal attack to revive the shooting circle. The fresh legs added momentum, the Diamonds trailing just 26-24 at halftime, and the third quarter remained relentless, the Diamonds leading 39-38 at the last change.
Springbok Women Stay Unbeaten with 47-20 Win Over Uganda in Nairobi
Two from two for the Springbok Women as they backed up their opening win with…
Para-Cyclist Toni Mould Returns to International Racing and Releases Her First Book
What a comeback for SA para cyclist Toni Mould, who returned to international racing this…
gsport Awards gsport21 Final Code Reveal and Crew Applications Open
The wait is over as the final code lands tonight, revealing the campaign call to…
Olwethu Mbanjane Turns gsport Awards Experience Into a Rising Career in Sports Media
From the buzz of the gsport Awards floor to a sports PR internship, Olwethu Mbanjane…
Crinums and Tornados Hold Firm at the Summit as TNL Power Week 2 Reaches Its Climax
The Telkom Netball League pacesetters held firm as the Free State Crinums saw off the…
Shaunique Alexander and Zethu Gcaza Set for Springbok Women Debuts Against Uganda
Three more Springbok Women are set to earn their first Test caps as Shaunique Alexander,…
The final quarter had spectators on the edge of their seats. Diamonds wing defence Caitlin Cloete swept away a bounce pass to keep her side in contention, and although Queens centre Asanda Ndaba came through with a vital intercept to help the Queens into a two-goal lead, the Diamonds responded. Goal shooter Colene Dercksen extended the lead with a single shot, and when goal attack Thobekile Mjaja missed a two-point attempt in the final fifteen seconds, the Queens’ hopes of levelling were gone as they fell to a 52-50 defeat.
With the Crinums still flawless at the top of Division 1 and the Southern Stings now locked into second, but the Western Cape Tornados’ unbeaten Division 2 record finally surrendered, Power Week 2 moves towards its conclusion at Ellis Park with the playoff picture coming sharply into focus.
Day 6 Results for Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League at Ellis Park Arena on Wednesday, 27 May 2026
D2 Eastern Cape Comets 39-65 Northern Cape Diamonds
D2 North West Tshukudu 42-42 Kingdom Queens
D2 Limpopo Baobabs 53-51 Limpopo Lilies
D2 Western Cape Tornados 52-56 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
D1 Southern Stings 55-41 Kingdom Stars
D1 Free State Crinums 59-37 North West Flames
D2 Kingdom Queens 50-52 Northern Cape Diamonds
Day 7 Fixtures on Thursday, 28 May 2026
07h00 D2 Limpopo Baobabs v Kingdom Queens
09h00 D2 Western Cape Tornados v Northern Cape Diamonds
11h00 D2 Free State Sonoblomo v Limpopo Lilies
13h00 D1 Eastern Cape Aloes v Free State Crinums
15h00 D1 North West Flames v Gauteng Jaguars
17h00 D2 Mpumalanga Sunbirds v North West Tshukudu
19h00 D1 Golden Fireballs v Southern Stings
Original Copy: Kgotla PR for Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Mpumalanga Sunbirds claimed a breakthrough win of Power Week 2, stunning the previously unbeaten Western Cape Tornados 56-52 to send a jolt through the Division 2 standings, as the Telkom Netball League Power Week 2 continued at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. All Photos: Netball SA
Photo 2 Caption: The Free State Crinums extended their unbeaten 2026 record with a commanding 59-37 victory over the North West Flames in Division 1.
Photo 3 Caption: The Southern Stings secured second spot on the Division 1 log standings with a composed 55-41 win over the Kingdom Stars.
Photo 4 Caption: The Northern Cape Diamonds held their nerve to edge the Kingdom Queens 52-50 in a last-gasp Division 2 thriller at Ellis Park.
Photo 5 Caption: The Limpopo Baobabs came through a tight Limpopo derby to edge the Limpopo Lilies 53-51 in the Division 2 programme.
