KovsieSport is proud to announce Karla Pretorius as the next Head Coach of KovsieNetball. Pretorius, who currently serves as the programme's Specialist Coach, will officially take over the role at the conclusion of the 2026 season, following the retirement of renowned Head Coach Burta de Kock.
The announcement marks the beginning of a carefully planned leadership transition that honours Coach De Kock's remarkable legacy while ensuring continuity for one of South Africa's premier university netball programmes.
Director of KovsieSport, Jerry Laka, said the appointment forms part of the University's long-term vision for the programme.
"We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Head Coach for KovsieNetball. This appointment is a key part of our vision to strengthen UFS's position as a dominant force in university netball. The coach brings a wealth of experience, strong leadership, and a clear understanding of the student-athlete pathway. We are confident that under her guidance, our netball programme will continue to excel both on and off the court."
A proud UFS alumna and one of South Africa's most accomplished netball players, Pretorius has built a strong connection with the University both as a student and coach.
"The UFS is where I earned my degree, had my first real taste of high-performance netball, gained invaluable experience, and grew tremendously as a person. Years later, it also became a place that allowed me to continue learning, developing and finding my feet in my coaching career.
"To now have the opportunity to take over from Tannie Burta and continue the Kovsie legacy she has built is both a huge responsibility and an exciting challenge.
"I'm looking forward to helping shape the next generation of players and contributing to the continued growth and success of KovsieNetball."
Coach De Kock will continue to lead the team through the remainder of the 2026 season before concluding an exceptional coaching career that has left a lasting impact on KovsieNetball and university sport.
KovsieSport extends its sincere gratitude to Coach De Kock for her outstanding contribution to the programme and looks forward to celebrating her final season while preparing for an exciting new era under the leadership of Karla Pretorius.