By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Free State Crinums crowned the 2026 Telkom Netball League champions after defeating the Golden Fireballs 42-36 in an enthralling final at the Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria on Monday evening.
The victory saw the Crinums complete an unbeaten campaign and secure their fifth TNL title, ending the Fireballs’ reign as defending champions.
The final was a repeat of last year’s showpiece encounter, but this time the Crinums turned the tables to reclaim South African netball’s biggest prize.
The opening quarter lived up to expectations as both teams went toe-to-toe from the first center pass, deadlocked at 3 all after the opening two minutes, and were clinical in converting their own center passes. Fireballs’ Goal Attack Owethu Ngubane gifted the Crinums an opportunity after an errant pass found Wing Attack Karla Victor, but the defending champions were quickly let off the hook when a held ball call handed possession straight back.
Crinums Goalkeeper Liame De Lange produced an important intercept with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter, only for Fireballs Goalkeeper Tinita Van Dyk to respond with a turnover of her own after capitalizing on a loose ball. The defensive battle continued until the end of the quarter, as the score was locked at 11-11.
The tension escalated in the second quarter as the match started to become increasingly physical. Fireball’s Wing Defense Tarle Mathe produced a crucial turnover and, eager to restart play quickly, snatched the ball from Crinums Wing Defense Sizeka Adoons to take the penalty. However, her eagerness proved costly as she was penalized for contact. The Crinums capitalized on mounting pressure, extending their lead to three goals. Both Keepers, De Lange and Van Dyk pulled through for their sides exchanging intercepts, but Crinums Shooter Bianca Lubbe added two single shots to help the side extend the lead to five goals at halftime.
The Fireballs started feeling the Crinums’ heat by losing a couple of balls in their goal third through unforced errors and missing under the post, which allowed the Crinums to go seven goals up midway through the quarter. Fireball’s shooting duo of Mazibuko and Ngubane started struggling to maintain their rhythm in the circle as the relentless pressure from the Crinums’ defense forced rushed decisions and uncharacteristic misses. The low scoring nature of the quarter reflected the defensive dominance, with Fireballs managing one goal in eleven minutes, while Crinums only added three to their tally as the Free state team extended their lead by ten goals ahead of the last quarter.
Fireballs’ coach Dr Elsje Jordaan made changes to the shooting circle, moving Van Dyk from Keeper to Goal Shooter, while Mazibuko replaced Ngubane on Goal Attack. The changes yielded some positive results, as the Fireballs began to regain their confidence in an attempt to reduce the deficit. However, the Crinums left no stones unturned until the final whistle, securing a 46-32 victory and finishing their campaign unbeaten after fourteen matches to claim their fifth title.
‘”This is one of the most brilliant performances that the Crinums have put up since the beginning of TNL, I’m so proud of these girls. They were unshaken, going out there and being untouchable, knowing exactly what was needed and playing beautiful netball even during the final. They put in the work, and I would like to thank the two captains for keeping them calm even when we were doing well in the first and second leg. The team definitely understood the mandate”, Crinums coach Martha Mosoahle added after the game.
Earlier in the day, the promotion and relegation playoff provided another thrilling contest.
Fresh from winning the Division Two title, the Tornados faced the Kingdom Stars for a place in Division One. Despite a determined challenge from the Tornados, the Stars used their experience to maintain control during key moments of the match.
After leading for much of the encounter, the Kingdom Stars held their nerve in the closing stages to secure a hard-fought 42-38 victory and retain their Division One status for another season.