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Premier Netball League (South Africa)

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Premier Netball League
SportNetball
Founded2014
AdministratorNetball South Africa
No. of teams15
CountrySouth Africa
Most recent
champion(s)		Free State Crinums (4th title)
Most titlesGauteng Jaguars (6 titles)
TV partner(s)SuperSport
Sponsor(s)Telkom
Level on pyramid1–2
Official websiteTelkom Netball League

The Premier Netball League[1] is the top level netball league featuring teams from South Africa. It was formed in 2014 and is organised by Netball South Africa. Between 2014 and 2018, due to sponsorship and naming rights arrangements, the league was known as the Brutal Fruit Netball Cup. Since 2019, the league has been sponsored by Telkom and, as a result, it is widely known as the Telkom Netball League. In 2014, Free State Crinums were the inaugural winners. Gauteng Jaguars are the league's most successful team, having won six titles. The league features two divisions and uses a promotion and relegation format. The winners of the Division Two Shield can gain promotion to Division One by winning a play off.

History

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Inaugural season

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Brutal Fruit Netball Cup era logo

In 2014, Free State Crinums, Eastern Cape Aloes, Gauteng Golden Fireballs, Gauteng Jaguars and North West Flames, became founder members of Division One of the Brutal Fruit Netball Cup. Limpopo Baobabs, together with Southern Stings, Kingdom Stars, Mpumalanga Sunbirds and Northern Cape Diamonds, became founder members of Division Two.[2][3][4] Free State Crinums were subsequently the inaugural Division One champions after defeating Jaguars 40–36 in the final.[5][6] Southern Stings won the inaugural Division Two Shield, after defeating Kingdom Stars 39–31 in the final.[7][8] Stings went on to gain promotion to Division One aftering defeating Eastern Cape Aloes 52–40 in a play off.[5][9]

Free State Crinums

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Between 2014 and 2016, with teams coached by Burta de Kock, captained by Maryka Holtzhausen and featuring Karla Pretorius, Free State Crinums won three successive titles. On each occasion they defeated Gauteng Jaguars in the final.[5][10][11][12][13] In 2024, Crinums, with a team coached by Martha Mosoahle-Samm and featuring a returning Pretorius, won a fourth title.[14][15][16]

Gauteng Jaguars

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Between 2017 and 2021, Gauteng Jaguars won five successive titles.[17][18] In 2017, with a team coached by Jenny Van Dyk and captained by Shadine van der Merwe, they won their first title after defeating North West Flames 49–43 in the final.[19] With teams featuring Marlize de Bruin and Izette Griesel, they retained the title in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.[20][21][22][23] In 2022, Gauteng Golden Fireballs, with a team captained by Bongiwe Msomi, because just the third team to win the title when they beat Jaguars 35–32 in the final.[17][24] However in 2023, Jaguars returned to win their sixth title.[25]

Expansion

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In 2014, when the league was founded, it featured ten teams divided into two divisions, Division One and Division Two. Each division featured five teams.[2][3][4]

In 2019, for one season only, three invitational teams – SPAR Smileys, President's Stars and Zimbabwe – played a series of exhibition matches alongside the league program. The former two were effectively home based members of the South Africa women's national team and the South Africa men's national netball team respectively. Zimbabwe used the series as preparation for the 2019 Netball World Cup.[26][27][28]

In 2020 two new teams, Kingdom Queens and Western Cape Tornados, were added to Division Two. In 2021, they were joined by Eastern Cape Comets.[29][30] Ahead of the 2023 season, Free State Sonoblomo and Limpopo Lilies joined Division Two. The league now featured fifteen teams. This also saw Kingdom Stars reinstated in Division One, despite losing the 2022 promotion/relegation play off.[31]

2025 teams

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Division One

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Team City/Suburb Province
Eastern Cape Aloes Eastern Cape
Free State Crinums University of the Free State Free State
Gauteng Golden Fireballs Gauteng
Gauteng Jaguars University of Pretoria Gauteng
Limpopo Baobabs Polokwane Limpopo
Southern Stings Western Cape
North West Flames North West

Division Two

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Team City/Suburb Province
Eastern Cape Comets Eastern Cape
Free State Sonoblomo Free State
Kingdom Queens KwaZulu-Natal
Kingdom Stars Durban KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo Lillies Limpopo
Mpumalanga Sunbirds Mpumalanga
Northern Cape Diamonds Northern Cape
Western Cape Tornadoes Western Cape

Source:[32]

Finals/Play offs

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Division One

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Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
2014[5][6] Free State Crinums 40–36 Gauteng Jaguars University of Pretoria[3]
2015[10][33][34] Free State Crinums 61–59 Gauteng Jaguars University of Pretoria
2016[11][35] Free State Crinums 52–43 Gauteng Jaguars Olive Centre, Durban
2017[19][36] Gauteng Jaguars 49–43 North West Flames Mangaung Indoor Centre, Bloemfontein
2018[20][37] Gauteng Jaguars 51–43 Southern Stings University of Pretoria
2019[21][38] Gauteng Jaguars 53–38 Southern Stings University of Pretoria
2020[22][39] Gauteng Jaguars 38–26 Free State Crinums Mangaung Indoor Sports Center, Bloemfontein
2021[23][40] Gauteng Jaguars 53–41 Southern Stings Rustenburg
2022[17][41][42] Gauteng Golden Fireballs 35–32 Gauteng Jaguars Heartfelt Arena
2023[25][43] Gauteng Jaguars 59–51 Free State Crinums Heartfelt Arena
2024[14][15] Free State Crinums 47–46 Gauteng Jaguars Ellis Park Arena

Division Two Shield

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Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
2014[7][8] Southern Stings 39–31 Kingdom Stars University of Pretoria
2015[10][44] Kingdom Stars 38–35 Eastern Cape Aloes University of Pretoria
2019[45] Kingdom Stars 45–43 Eastern Cape Aloes University of Pretoria
2020[46] Eastern Cape Aloes 35–31 Kingdom Queens Mangaung Indoor Sports Center, Bloemfontein
2021[47][48] Eastern Cape Aloes Western Cape Tornados Rustenburg
2022[49][50] Eastern Cape Aloes 48–43 Mpumalanga Sunbirds Heartfelt Arena
2023[51][52] Limpopo Baobabs 65–40 Western Cape Tornados Heartfelt Arena
2024[53] Kingdom Stars 37–35 Eastern Cape Comets Ellis Park Arena

Promotion/Relegation

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Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
2014[5][9] Southern Stings 52–40 Eastern Cape Aloes University of Pretoria
2015[44] Gauteng Golden Fireballs Kingdom Stars University of Pretoria
2019[21] Kingdom Stars 59–57 Gauteng Golden Fireballs University of Pretoria
2020[22] Kingdom Stars 54–30 Eastern Cape Aloes Mangaung Indoor Sports Center, Bloemfontein
2021[23] North West Flames 49–40 Eastern Cape Aloes Rustenburg
2022[54][55] Eastern Cape Aloes 42–39 Kingdom Stars Heartfelt Arena
2023[56][57] Limpopo Baobabs 55–37 Kingdom Stars Heartfelt Arena
2024[14] Limpopo Baobabs 65–40 Kingdom Stars Ellis Park Arena

Sponsorship

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Sponsors Seasons
Brutal Fruit[2][3][4][26] 2014–2018
Telkom[26][29][31] 2019–

References

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  1. ^ "Premier Netball League Archives". netball-sa.co.za. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Brutal Fruit Netball Cup Countdown Begins". gsport.co.za. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "First semi-professional competition for SA netball". www.southafrica.info. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "SA Netball goes professional with Brutal Fruit". www.sabstories.co.za. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Crinums Break Through for Inaugural Netball Cup". gsport.co.za. 8 June 2014. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Free State Clinch Final In Extra Time Thriller". brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za. 8 June 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Southern Stings Win Netball Shield". brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za. 7 June 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Stings Celebrate as Crinums Await Jaguars Pounce". gsport.co.za. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Brutal Fruit Netball Cup". brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za. 8 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Crinums leave it late before taking prestigious Premier League title". www.teamsa.co.za. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Three in a row for Crinums". www.citizen.co.za. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  12. ^ "UFS Sporting Legends: Kovsies provided Karla with perfect balance to excel". www.ufs.ac.za. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Pretorius wants to win TNL with Crinums again". supersport.com. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "Crinums clinch fourth Telkom Netball League Championship Title". netball-sa.co.za. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Free State Crinums edge out Gauteng Jaguars in thrilling 2024 Telkom Netball League final". joburg.org.za. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm and Karla Pretorius on 2024 TNL Win: 'On Another Level'". gsport.co.za. 23 June 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "Golden Fireballs Dethrone Jaguars To Win Historic Maiden Title". netball-sa.co.za. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Gauteng Jaguars profile 2022". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 29 April 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Fourth time lucky for Jaguars". netball-sa.co.za. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Second successive title for jubilant Jaguars". netball-sa.co.za. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  21. ^ a b c "Jaguars roar to another Telkom Netball League title". netball-sa.co.za. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  22. ^ a b c "Jaguars Win Fourth Telkom Netball League Title And Stars Retain Division A Position". netball-sa.co.za. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  23. ^ a b c "Gauteng Jaguars Claim 5th Telkom Netball League Title". netball-sa.co.za. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Gauteng Golden Fireballs profile 2022". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Jaguars lift sixth Telkom Netball League trophy and Baobabs move to top Division". netball-sa.co.za. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  26. ^ a b c "South Africa's semi-professional netball tournament continues thanks to a new corporate partner". www.citizen.co.za. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Jaguars march on as Smileys edge Zimbabwe". netball-sa.co.za. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  28. ^ "SPAR Smileys draw 53- all with President Stars Men's team". netball-sa.co.za. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  29. ^ a b "2021 Telkom Netball League gets underway in a two legged affair". netball-sa.co.za. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  30. ^ "The Eastern Cape Comets powered past the Queens on their debut". netball-sa.co.za. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Netball SA introduces two teams in new TNL season". supersport.com. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  32. ^ "Telkom Netball League". netball-sa.co.za. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  33. ^ "Crinums crowned NPL champions again". www.citizen.co.za. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Crinums crowned NPL champions". brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za. 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Crinums take Brutal Fruit title with 52-43 win over Jaguars". Diamond Fields Advertiser. www.pressreader.com. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  36. ^ "Netball tournament ends with first win for Jaguars". www.news24.com. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  37. ^ "Jaguars roar to second BFNPL title on the trot". www.teamsa.co.za. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Gauteng Jaguars crowned Telkom Premier League champions". www.sabcnews.com. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Jaguars win 4th Telkom Netball League title". www.news24.com. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Gauteng Jaguars Claim 5th Telkom Netball League Title". gsport.co.za. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Golden Fireballs Dethrone Jaguars to Win Historic Maiden Title". gsport.co.za. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  42. ^ "Netball South Africa Annual Report 2021/22" (PDF). netball-sa.co.za. November 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Jaguars crowned Telkom Netball League champions". joburg.org.za. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  44. ^ a b "The rise of Kingdom Stars". www.citizen.co.za. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  45. ^ "Semifinal match-ups decided at Telkom Netball League". supersport.com. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  46. ^ "Aloes Win Division B And Fireballs Claim Bronze Medal In Division A". netball-sa.co.za. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  47. ^ "Eastern Cape Aloes Crowned Division Two Champions". netball-sa.co.za. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  48. ^ "Eastern Cape Aloes Defend Division Two Champs Title". gsport.co.za. 16 October 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  49. ^ "Eastern Cape Aloes Hoist Division Two Trophy Again Following Unbeaten Run". netball-sa.co.za. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  50. ^ "Eastern Cape Aloes Defend Division Two TNL Title". gsport.co.za. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  51. ^ "Baobabs win historic Telkom Netball League Division Two title". netball-sa.co.za. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  52. ^ "Baobabs win historic Netball League Division 2 title". supersport.com. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  53. ^ "Kingdom Stars Win Telkom Netball League Division 2 Title in Johannesburg". gsport.co.za. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  54. ^ "Aloes promoted to netball's top flight". www.heraldlive.co.za. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  55. ^ "Eastern Cape netball on the rise as Aloes clinch promotion". sport.mandela.ac.za. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  56. ^ "Limpopo Baobabs wins netball league". www.citizen.co.za. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  57. ^ "Limpopo Baobabs promoted to Netball league top division". limpopochronicle.co.za. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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