Thursday 01 October 2026, The University of Johannesburg (UJ) are the 2026 Varsity Netball champions after dethroning defending champions North-West University (NWU Eagles) 56-44 in the final at the Mafikeng Great Hall on Monday night.
It is the first time in the history of the competition that UJ lift the trophy a moment years in the making. The Orange Army had come close before, losing two finals in extra time in 2023 and 2024, but this time they finished the job with a commanding performance.
How it happened:
UJ set the tone from the first whistle. They edged a high-intensity first quarter 14-11 and went into half-time with a narrow 27-24 lead. The game was broken open in a blistering third quarter, where UJ’s defence forced NWU into errors and their shooters were near-flawless, stretching the lead to 46-30. NWU fought hard in the last 15 minutes but could not overturn the 16-point deficit.
Quarter Scores: 14-11 | 27-24 | 46-30 | 56-44
An emotional farewell
The victory was even more special because it marked the end of an era for three UJ stalwarts. Tarle Mathe who was named Player of the Match in the final alongside Tumi Mahloko and Sammy Ngubane (Sesandile Ngubane), played their last ever Varsity Cup tournament. Under Varsity Sport rules, players age out when they turn 25, and this was their final year of eligibility.
They leave as champions exactly how they dreamed of leaving.
For head coach Bongiwe Msomi, who has been building the UJ programme since 2019, the win is a reward for years of belief and hard work. “We’ve been in the final twice, lost in extra time in both games… This gold is an assurance to the group that hard work does pay off. We’ve made history. What a legacy!” she said after the match.
After years of knocking on the door, UJ didn’t just knock they kicked it down.
By: Sibusiso “Ace” Ndimande
