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Kovsies triumphs over Tuks and secure spot in Varsity Netball final

01 October 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Kaleidoscope

Varsity Netball 2024 News — In a nail-biting Varsity Netball semi-final, UFS KovsieNetball triumphed over defending champions UP Tuks, winning 68-62.

In a nail-biting Varsity Netball semi-final, UFS KovsieNetball triumphed over defending champions UP Tuks (30 September 2024), winning 68-62 in the Callie Human Centre on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. The victory advances them to the final on Monday next week, where they will face UJ.

Early lead and strong performances

Despite a close first half, Kovsies led 15-13 at the first quarter break and 35-31 at half-time, relying on strong performances from goal shooters Rolene Streutker and Xandri Fourie. The game turned in the third quarter when Kovsies extended their lead to 53-43. Tuks fought back during their power play in the final quarter, but Kovsies' consistent play, supported by a lively home crowd, ensured their victory and advancement to the final.

Fourie was named FNB player of the march.

According to head coach Burta de Kock, teamwork played a vital role. “Each player took responsibility for her role on the court and the players played for each other,” she said.

De Kock said they analysed UP's style of play and identified their attack strategy. “We knew they had an accurate goal, so we focused on disrupting the feed to the goal, which led to more interceptions.”

Preparing for final against UJ

Looking ahead to the final against UJ, De Kock acknowledged the challenge, saying that they expect it to be a tough match. "UJ hasn’t won a final yet, and their hearts are set on winning. But we are also ready to take excellence to the court and finish the season on a high,” she commented, "because we have brilliant players, each one understanding her responsibility."

To ensure that the KovsieNetball team is well prepared for this critical match, they are supported by an experienced and dedicated coaching staff, each playing an important role in their success. Leading the charge is De Kock, who guided the team to multiple victories. During her years at KovsieSport, she has developed around 20 Protea players. Defence coach Karla Pretorius, currently also the vice-captain of the Spar Proteas, brings a wealth of international experience to strengthen the team's defence. Attack coach Khanyisa Chawane, now also the captain of the Spar Proteas, focuses on sharpening the offensive strategy. Team manager Ané Retief ensures smooth operations behind the scenes, making this dynamic team an unstoppable force on the court. She is also part of the Protea squad that will represent South Africa at the Fast5 World Series in New Zealand in November.

The Varsity Netball final is set for Monday 7 October at 19:00 in the Callie Human Centre. A limited number of tickets will be available at www.varsitysportsa.com so, supporters are encouraged to get theirs as soon as possible. De Kock expressed her gratitude to the fans, saying, “Without your support, we couldn’t have done it.”

News Archive

UFS researcher fills void in South African policing history

2017-01-02

Currently a Postdoctoral fellow in the International
Studies Group, Dr Cornelis Muller’s PhD thesis explores
late nineteenth century South African policing on the
Witwatersrand.
Photo: Rulanzen Martin

“I used policing on the Witwatersrand as a lens through which to examine aspects relating to state formation within the South African Republic.”

This is how Dr Cornelis Muller, a postdoctoral fellow in the International Studies Group at the University of the Free State (UFS), described his PhD thesis called Policing the Witwatersrand: A history of the South African Republic Police, 1886-1899. The thesis fills an empirical void in the history of settler colonial policing in South Africa.

His research was also featured in the South African Historical Journal, which is published by Routledge. Dr Muller received his PhD from the UFS during the 2016 Winter Graduation ceremonies. He received a scholarship from the university to conduct his three-year research.

Relationship between police and state examined
The study presents itself as an institutional biography in which the relationship between the South African Republic Police (known as the Zarps), the state, and broader society are examined. The period under investigation was a time when political, economic, and social complexities on the Witwatersrand created tension between South Africa and Great Britain.

An important theme throughout the thesis is the relationship between the police, the mining industry, and the so-called Uitlander community. Crime was also an important contributing factor to the complex relationship that developed between the Zarps and the policed in Johannesburg’s formative years.

“Johannesburg was a town under siege by a variety of crimes which ranged from vagrancy, drunkenness, gambling, and prostitution to robbery, murder, and assault,” said Dr Muller.

Archives in South Africa and Great Britain consulted
“My thesis follows a chronological approach in which various themes accounting for the development of the police on the Witwatersrand are highlighted.” Framed within the bureaucratic and administrative functioning of the Zarps, he examined aspects relating to crime, crisis, and conflict between the police and society. The thesis also details the relationship between the police and Johannesburg’s black community.

As with any historical research, it comprised internal and external source criticism and content analyses of a wide range of archival records.

Dr Muller had the opportunity to visit several archives and libraries in South Africa and Great Britain. “Some of the more important archival collections were assessed at the National Archives in Pretoria.” These included the Archive of the State Attorney and the Archive of the Magisterial District of Johannesburg.

“My study thus adds to scholarship that seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of the South African Republic’s administrative functioning and internal politics in the late nineteenth century,” concluded Dr Muller.

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