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Kovsies crowned 2024 Varsity Netball champions after thrilling extra-time win

08 October 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Francois van Vuuren, iFlair

UFS the 2024 Varsity Netball Champions — In a high-stakes showdown, the Kovsie netball team secured its fifth Varsity Netball title, edging out the University of Johannesburg (UJ) with a final score of 58-55.

After another nail-biting game in the 2024 Varsity Netball Tournament finals, Kovsies beat the University of Johannesburg (UJ) 58-55 at the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on 7 October 2024, earning them the title of 2024 Varsity Netball champions.

In an electrifying atmosphere – with strong support from fans in the stands – the Kovsie team, captained by Refiloe Nketsa, delivered a stellar performance, securing their fifth title. The game was tied 47-47 at full time and went into extra time, showcasing the team’s will and determination to win.

“Congratulations to our netball team for its fantastic performance not only during the final, but also throughout the tournament. The final was an amazing display of resilience, and we are proud of what the team achieved. I salute our champions on behalf of the entire university community. Under the leadership of the head coach Burta de Kock, the rest of the coaching staff, and captain Nketsa, the team worked hard, and their courage and commitment paid off,” said Prof Anthea Rhoda, acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS.

“We would also like to acknowledge and thank the staff of KovsieSport under the leadership of Jerry Laka, Director of KovsieSport, for their significant contribution to the success of the team,” added Prof Rhoda.

Playing with heart and tenacity

Although the UFS started as favourites – having won the title in 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2021 – UJ played with heart and tenacity, fighting fiercely to claim the win. Both teams pushed their limits, with Kovsies leading by two points in the first few minutes. The score at the end of the first quarter was a close 13-12 in favour of the UFS.

In the second quarter, UJ fought back to close the gap, but Kovsies pulled ahead, leading by three points. They ended the quarter with Kovsies at 23 and UJ at 21. The third quarter saw the teams neck and neck, ending 35-34 in Kovsies’ favour. UJ briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, but Kovsies rallied, reclaiming advantage and breaking through a tie of 47-47 to secure a victory of 58-55 in extra time.

Supporting the team from the side was head coach De Kock, Spar Proteas captain Khanyisa Chawane, Proteas vice-captain Karla Pretorius, team manager Ané Retief – who is part of the Protea squad that will represent South Africa at the Fast5 World Series in New Zealand in November, Sikholiwe Mdletshe, analysing coach, and Jason Carlisle, conditioning coach.

Coach De Kock, reflecting on the UFS team’s victory in the Varsity Netball finals, said, "We are very excited and grateful for God’s blessings and grace. We have an incredible group of players who are fully committed to the system. They understood their responsibilities on the court, and it was amazing to see that through. The players are also in top physical condition. We have a support framework within KovsieNetball, with everyone playing a role in helping the players succeed." She is also grateful to KovsieSport and the UFS for their hard work in preparing the venue and ensuring that the finals were a success.

‘Our players stood together’

De Kock attributed the team’s success to the unity they displayed on the court. "No player panicked when we lost the ball. Our players simply stood together and regained possession. We’re grateful for the incredible character the players demonstrated tonight."

With Kovsies claiming the title, the UFS this year reigns as Varsity Netball as well as Varsity Cup rugby champions. In April, the UFS Shimlas beat the UCT Ikeys 45-42 in the final on Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.

• Player of the Match: Refiloe Nketsa (UFS Kovsies captain)

• FNB Player of the Tournament: Rolene Streutker (UFS Kovsies)

• The team that played in the finals are: Liamé de Lange, Demi-Leigh de Jager, Megan Erasmus, Xandri Fourie, Elri Groenewald, Reratilwe Ke-Morena Letsoalo, Asanele Malgas, Owami Mohuli, Refiloe Nketsa, Rolene Streutker, Charné van Vuuren, Karla Victor.

News Archive

Carbon dioxide makes for more aromatic decaffeinated coffee

2017-10-27

The Inorganic Group in the Department of Chemistry
at the UFS is systematically researching the utilisation
of carbon dioxide. From the left, are, Dr Ebrahiem Botha,
Postdoctoral Fellow; Mahlomolo Khasemene, MSc student;
Prof André Roodt; Dr Marietjie Schutte-Smith, Senior Lecturer;
and Mokete Motente, MSc student.
Photo: Charl Devenish

Several industries in South Africa are currently producing hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide a year, which are released directly into the air. A typical family sedan doing around 10 000 km per year, is annually releasing more than one ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The Inorganic Chemistry Research Group in the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Free State (UFS), in collaboration with the University of Zurich in Switzerland, has focused in recent years on using carbon dioxide – which is regarded as a harmful and global warming gas – in a meaningful way.

According to Prof André Roodt, Head of Inorganic Chemistry at the UFS, the Department of Chemistry has for the past five decades been researching natural products that could be extracted from plants. These products are manufactured by plants through photosynthesis, in other words the utilisation of sunlight and carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and other nutrients from the soil.

Caffeine and chlorophyll
“The Inorganic group is systematically researching the utilisation of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants through chlorophyll and used to make interesting and valuable compounds and sugars, which in turn could be used for the production of important new medicines,” says Prof Roodt.

Caffeine, a major energy enhancer, is also manufactured through photosynthesis in plants. It is commonly found in tea and coffee, but also (artificially added) in energy drinks. Because caffeine is a stimulant of the central nervous system and reduces fatigue and drowsiness, some people prefer decaffeinated coffee when enjoying this hot drink late at night.

Removing caffeine from coffee could be expensive and time-consuming, but also environmentally unfriendly, because it involves the use of harmful and flammable liquids. Some of the Inorganic Group’s research focus areas include the use of carbon dioxide for the extraction of compounds, such as caffeine from plants.

“Therefore, the research could lead to the availability of more decaffeinated coffee products. Although decaffeinated coffee is currently aromatic, we want to investigate further to ensure better quality flavours,” says Prof Roodt.

Another research aspect the team is focusing on is the use of carbon dioxide to extract chlorophyll from plants which have medicinal properties themselves. Chemical suppliers sell chlorophyll at R3 000 a gram. “In the process of investigating chlorophyll, our group discovered simpler techniques to comfortably extract larger quantities from green vegetables and other plants,” says Prof Roodt.

Medicines
In addition, the Inorganic Research Group is also looking to use carbon dioxide as a building block for more valuable compounds. Some of these compounds will be used in the Inorganic Group’s research focus on radiopharmaceutical products for the identification and possibly even the treatment of diseases such as certain cancers, tuberculosis, and malaria.

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