The Gauteng Jaguars lifted their second straight Premier League title. Photo by Netball South Africa
A thrilling campaign came to a close on Sunday, with the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League ending in a bang at Rembrandt Hall in Pretoria.
The Gauteng Jaguars beat the Western Cape Southern Stings 49-47 in a hard-fought final, successfully defending their title, and the North West Flames edged the Free State Crinums 66-64 in extra time in the third-place playoff.
We take a glance at what the coaches of the top teams had to say, which players produced standout performances, and who finished where after six weeks of competition in the top-flight series.
Who said what
“We’ve had five finals in a row, two wins and we’ve gone unbeaten in this whole tournament, which gives us 18 games unbeaten in a row, so that’s fantastic and shows consistency.” – Gauteng Jaguars coach Jenny van Dyk.
“The Jaguars were in this position five times already, and this was our first (final), so we’re sending a message that we are here and we want to be first, and we’ll definitely be back. I’m proud of the girls. With a score like this, it could have gone either way, so I’m happy.” – Southern Stings coach Annelie Lucas.
Award winners
Player of the Tournament – Khanyisa Chawane (Free State Crinums)
Best Shooter – Ine-Mari Venter (Gauteng Jaguars)
Best Centre – Khanyisa Chawane (Free State Crinums)
Best Defender – Shadine van der Merwe (Gauteng Jaguars)
2018 Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League, final standings
1 Gauteng Jaguars
2 Western Cape Southern Stings
3 North West Flames
4 Free State Crinums
5 Gauteng Golden Fireballs
6 KZN Kingdom Stars
7 Mpumalanga Sunbirds
8 Limpopo Baobabs
9 Eastern Cape Aloes
10 Northern Cape Diamonds