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Following a high-flying start to 2026 that embraced TuksSport’s theme of Elevate – from SPAR Proteas representation to their Roadshow in KZN and their annual development Camp at Camp Discovery led by Head Coach Amanda Mynhardt – TuksNetball has now shifted from elevating off the court to executing on it, with a character-testing start to the 2026 Varsity Netball season. The campaign opened at the bumper weekend at Maties Coetzenberg Indoor Centre in Stellenbosch, where UP – Tuks faced two of last year’s powerhouses.
In Round 1, Tuks went toe-to-toe with multiple champions UFS, leading at half time before Kovsies showed up to edge to a thriller 58-55.
In Round 2, defending champions NWU Eagles had to dig deep and pull out all the stops to beat UP-Tuks by one goal on day two of the bumper weekend – a second narrow defeat by the Stripe Generation against top opposition.
Speaking to Varsity Netball’s Lehlogonolo Ditshego, after the tough opening weekend, veteran defender Luca Keun. who made her Varsity Netball debut in 2023 the last time Tuks lifted the trophy, said the slow start could be the foundation of growth.
“Obviously starting the campaign with two defeats is not ideal. Our team can only grow from here. I think it is also good to start like this and build from there, unlike starting on a high and dropping at the end,” said Keun. “It will be tough at times, but the most important thing will be to push through the difficult times.”
Caption – Luca Keun
In Round 3, the UP-Tuks side went to court with an assertive response claiming their first win in their 2026 campaign beating CUT with a convincing 54-45. The Tuks experience was prominent.
That win highlighted the blend of youth and experience that Head Coach Amanda Mynhardt has been building since January. The squad feature rising stars such as Kimberley Amiras, alongside seasoned leaders Luca Keun, Kyla Dames, Phophi Nematangari and Kamogelo Maseko – a continuation of the leadership core that drove the Pre-Season Camo Discovery and Coach-to-Coach sessions with Tuks Alumna and National Coach, Jenny van Dyk.
It is the fulfillment of the objective stated in the pre-season release: to restore dominance with a fuller, more cohesive roster after 2025 saw several key players unavailable due to national commitments.
Head Coach Amanda Mynhardt commented after their resounding 66-40 win over Maties; “This is Varsity Netball – it’s an intense tournament that creates space for growth. The first weekend showed that we can compete with the best, but we must learn from our mistakes and play for one another. The win against CUT was important momentum, and with players like Luca leading and youngsters like Kimberley stepping up, we are exactly where we need to be to build.”
The Stripe Generation now return to Wits Gauteng for leg 3 focused on consolidating their winning identity as they prepare for the ultimate Gauteng Derbys in leg 4 at the Rembrandt Hall which takes place on 13 and 14 September.
The Stripe is not rebuilding – it is recalibrated and ready to climb the log.
About TuksSport
TuksSport, the Sport Department at the University of Pretoria, has positioned itself, both locally and internationally, as a leader in the fields of participation in sport and managing and coaching sport. We offer a professional home for athletes and volunteers who participate in our programmes. As a catalyst for the development of sport, TuksSport adds value and contributes towards sustainable sport programmes for the broader South African community.
With a diverse range of over 30 sporting codes, our campus offers something for everyone. Whether you are a beginner seeking to explore a new sport or an athlete with a high-level profile, our home provides exceptional sporting opportunities worldwide.
We not only focus on top performers but also on club contestants and recreational participants. The high-performance programme provides services that range from scientific and medical to sports testing, fitness, technical and tactical expertise, sports injuries, and sport psychology support.
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