Bongiwe Msomi on leading UJ to a historic Varsity Netball triumph

This comes after Msomi guided the Gauteng outfit to their maiden Varsity Netball title with a convincing 56-44 victory over the North-West Eagles in Mahikeng on Monday night.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Msomi described the triumph as an emotional moment after journeying with UJ Netball since 2019.

“I’m really happy that we could pull it through this year. The group has been working really hard and this is a fantastic reward for them. We’ve been in the final twice, lost in extra time in both games, and that alone for me has been an incredible experience to be part of such a journey with UJ Netball. Literally from the bottom, to constantly being amongst the top teams means our programme is working.

“This gold is an assurance to the group that hard work does pay off. Sometimes what you say and do only makes sense after such wins. We deserved to close it off like this after all the plans and brave decisions we had to make during the season. We’ve made history. What a legacy! That’s the emotional part for me,” said Msomi.

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The 38-year-old former Spar Proteas star says netball means more to her than just the sport, adding that the past seven years at UJ have allowed her to build a special connection with the players both on and off the court.

“Netball to me means so much more. It allows me to constantly feel like I am giving back, and that’s something I am passionate about. So when I feel that this part is fully covered, I get emotional easily.

“I know what being supported and being given a chance, a full chance, can do to an athlete’s career, and I see this almost every day at UJ Netball. It is such an amazing feeling to see it all play out this way!” 

Msomi had previously led UJ to two Varsity Netball finals, in 2023 and 2024, but says this year’s decider was particularly special given the quality of talent on display.

“It was a great final! A great showcase of the amazing talent we have in the country. We had a plan and both halves of the game were meant to cover different aspects for us, and it really did. I t was amazing to sit there and watch the plan come together like it did in the second half. Playing against the defending champions, who eliminated us in a semi-final last year, was always going to be hard.

“The team got stuck into the job incredibly well. The depth of our group this year is something I am really proud of. All the players played their part.”