Close Menu
    Trending
    sports

    Western Cape Tornados Clinch Telkom Netball League Division 2 Title in Thriller

    ifongeBy No Comments0 Views
    Western Cape Tornados Clinch Telkom Netball League Division 2 Title in Thriller

    The Western Cape Tornados were crowned Telkom Netball League Division 2 champions after edging the Kingdom Queens 47-46 in a pulsating final that went down to the wire at Rembrandt Hall, University of Pretoria, on Sunday, 14 June 2026.

    The Queens made the brighter start, asserting themselves early with higher intensity and capitalising on their attacking opportunities. The Tornados gradually settled, finding their rhythm and matching the Queens’ physicality and pace. With five minutes left in the opening quarter, two goals separated the sides. A brilliant bounce-pass sweep in the circle from Tornados goal defence Ziyanda Mwezo looked set to create an equalising chance, but Queens goalkeeper Lonwabo Khumalo denied them possession. 

    The Tornados then made the most of their Supershots, with goal attack Hannah Kriel converting two two-pointers and shooter Liandré Kriel adding a single shot to overturn the deficit and take a 14-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.

    The Tornados continued to dictate proceedings in the second quarter, showing composure and discipline while punishing the Queens for unforced errors. The Queens struggled for attacking fluency, managing only two goals in the first five minutes as the Tornados stretched their lead to six goals midway through the quarter. The Tornados defence neutralised the influence of Queens playmaker Thobekile Mjaja, limiting her impact. 

    Best Mid-Court Player, Lara Ehlers; Best Defender, Asemahle Dyidi; Player of the Tournament, Rochelle Maree; and Best Shooter, Aphiwe Thusini.
    Best Mid-Court Player, Lara Ehlers; Best Defender, Asemahle Dyidi; Player of the Tournament, Rochelle Maree; and Best Shooter, Aphiwe Thusini.

    The Queens regrouped late in the quarter and steadily cut the deficit to three goals. Although the Tornados failed to convert any Supershots, Mjaja struck from long range and shooter Aphiwe Thusini added a single shot to inspire a turnaround, and the KZN side took a 26-25 lead at half-time.

    Defensive intensity defined the third quarter as the Tornados suffocated the Queens’ attacking flow, their relentless pressure forcing the KZN side into multiple passes and difficult ball movement through the court. The Tornados closed the gap to a single goal before the Queens called for a strategic time-out, with assistant coach Lungile Lembethe urging the players to stay calm and take the game ball-by-ball. 

    The Tornados made it hard for the Queens to execute the instructions, equalising immediately after the talk before surging ahead to a three-goal cushion. The quarter remained a low-scoring affair dominated by defence, with the Tornados adding a single shot but doing enough to carry a 37-33 lead into the final period.

    The fourth quarter delivered a fitting finale to an enthralling contest, with both teams trading blows in a true championship spectacle. The Queens came out firing as Mjaja rediscovered her attacking confidence and resumed the chief playmaker role, while Thusini stayed composed and clinical under the post. Khumalo also made her presence felt in defence, producing a vital intercept that allowed the Queens to convert their centre pass and take a two-goal lead. 

    he Kingdom Queens took the Division 2 silver medal after a narow defeat to the Western Cape Tornados in Pretoria on Sunday.
    he Kingdom Queens took the Division 2 silver medal after a narow defeat to the Western Cape Tornados in Pretoria on Sunday.

    The Tornados refused to surrender, responding immediately after the Queens were penalised for an unforced error and capitalising on a draw once again. With momentum swinging both ways, the Tornados edged a goal ahead heading into the final Supershot period. They then scored the decisive 47th goal of the match, leaving the Queens six seconds to salvage it. The Queens secured the centre pass, but time ran out after the first pass, sealing a dramatic 47-46 victory for the Tornados.

    “I think it was brilliant, Queens came out guns blazing and that’s how a final should be played.” 

    Western Cape Tornados Head Coach, Lucy Twani

    “Ball for ball every quarter, it was not predictable and they were doing great defensively. We were trying to find each other, there was a disconnect at some point but we found each other and played until the last minute,” said Twani.

    In the Division 2 bronze play-off, Free State Sonoblomo capped their campaign in style with a convincing 62-44 victory over the Limpopo Baobabs to secure third place. After finishing fourth in the round-robin standings and losing to the Tornados in the semi-finals, Sonoblomo bounced back to record their best finish since joining the competition in 2023. 

    The Baobabs, who caused upsets during the round-robin phase with narrow wins over the Diamonds and Sunbirds to finish second on the log, could not recover from their semi-final defeat to the Queens and settled for fourth.

    2026 Telkom Netball League Division 2 Final Standings

    1. Western Cape Tornados
    2. Kingdom Queens
    3. Free State Sonoblomo
    4. Limpopo Baobabs
    5. North West Tshukudu
    6. Northern Cape Diamonds
    7. Mpumalanga Sunbirds
    8. Eastern Cape Comets
    9. Limpopo Lilies

    TNL Division 2 Individual Accolades: 

    Best Shooter: Aphiwe Thusini (Kingdom Queens)
    Best Mid-Court Player: Lara Ehlers (Western Cape Tornados)
    Best Defender: Asemahle Dyidi (Western Cape Tornados)
    Player of the Tournament: Rochelle Maree (Limpopo Baobabs)

    The 2026 Telkom Netball League Power Week 3 Results and Fixtures at Rembrandt Hall, University of Pretoria, from Friday, 12 June to Monday, 15 June 2026

    Friday, 12 June 2026

    D2 Play-off Position 7/8: Mpumalanga Sunbirds 55-49 Eastern Cape Comets
    D2 Play-off Position 5/6: Northern Cape Diamonds 40-41 North West Tshukudu
    D1 Play-off Position 5/6: North West Flames 51-37 Eastern Cape Aloes

    Saturday, 13 June 2026

    D2 Semi-Final 1: Western Cape Tornados 53-45 Free State Sonoblomo
    D2 Semi-Final 2: Limpopo Baobabs 49-55 Kingdom Queens
    D1 Semi-Final 1: Free State Crinums 60-37 Gauteng Jaguars
    D1 Semi-Final 2: Golden Fireballs 57-54 Southern Stings

    Sunday, 14 June 2026

    D1 Play-off Position 3/4: Southern Stings 55-45 Gauteng Jaguars
    D2 Play-off Position 3/4: Free State Sonoblomo 62-44 Limpopo Baobabs
    Division 2 Final: Western Cape Tornados 47-46 Kingdom Queens
    Division 2 Medal Ceremony

    Monday, 15 June 2026

    15h30 Relegation Match: Kingdom Stars vs. Western Cape Tornados
    18h00 Division 1 Final: Free State Crinums vs. Golden Fireballs
    19h30 Division 1 Medal Ceremony

    Power Week 1 Wrap

    Power Week 2 Wrap

    Original Copy: Kgotla PR for Netball SA, with editing by gsport

    Main Photo Caption: The Western Cape Tornados were crowned Telkom Netball League Division 2 champions after a 47-46 win over the Kingdom Queens in the final at Rembrandt Hall, University of Pretoria, on Sunday, 14 June 2026. All Photos: Netball SA

    Photo 2 Caption: Best Mid-Court Player, Lara Ehlers; Best Defender, Asemahle Dyidi; Player of the Tournament, Rochelle Maree; and Best Shooter, Aphiwe Thusini.

    Photo 3 Caption: The Kingdom Queens took the Division 2 silver medal after a narow defeat to the Western Cape Tornados in Pretoria on Sunday.

    Share.

    Related Posts

    Leave A Reply