Samantha Ngubane wants UJ to build on Varsity Netball success

This comes after playing a crucial role in helping the Gauteng outfit secure a convincing 56-44 victory over the North-West Eagles in Monday night’s final in Mahikeng.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Ngubane says she is delighted to see their hard work and sacrifices finally pay off, having joined the team in 2022.

“Winning my maiden Varsity title with UJ means so much to me. It’s something we’ve worked towards for a long time, so to finally see all the hard work, sacrifices and challenges pay off is an amazing feeling.

“I believe playing as a unit and remaining consistent will help us build on this success. I’m really proud of myself and the team. Personally, I’m happy with the contribution I made throughout the season. I just tried to do my part, stay consistent and help the team wherever I could. Being able to celebrate this moment with my teammates makes it even more special,” she said.

READ: Antonia Maponya: Banyana motivated to return to Olympic stage

UJ, under the guidance of head coach Bongiwe Msomi, enjoyed a dominant campaign, finishing at the top of the standings after winning seven of their eight matches.

Ngubane believes their ability to trust one another and recover from setbacks played a significant role in their success.

“I think the team had an amazing season. Only losing one game out of eight shows how much work we put in and how consistent we were throughout the competition.

“We really trusted each other and played for one another, and I think that showed on court. Even when things didn’t go our way, we were able to regroup and bounce back. I’m really proud of the way we competed and the way everyone contributed to the team’s success,” added Ngubane.

The 24-year-old also hopes to continue growing as a senior player, with an added responsibility of mentoring the younger players coming through the ranks.

“For me, it’s about continuing to grow and challenge myself. Being one of the senior players comes with responsibility, so I want to keep leading by example and help the younger players coming through.

“I also want to keep improving my game, learn from every experience and hopefully achieve even more with UJ. For now, I just want to enjoy this moment, because we’ve worked really hard for it, but I’m definitely looking forward to what’s next,” she expressed.