Sun Park, Sun City – North West Province

After five thrilling days of netball action, Power Week 2 of the Telkom Netball League wrapped up on June 17, 2025, leaving behind a rollercoaster of emotions for the Kingdom Stars and Queens.

Kingdom Stars: A Gritty Performance with a Bittersweet Finish

The Kingdom Stars stepped into Power Week 2 aiming to climb the ladder—and they did show signs of brilliance. They closed the week with 17 points from 12 games, showcasing resilience and hunger.

The Stars opened their campaign with two solid back-to-back wins. On Day 1, they outplayed Sonoblomo 55–47, thanks to a rock-solid defensive wall led by Thulisile Maduna, who shut down attacks with unmatched grit. On Day 2, they crushed the Diamonds 56–36, with Nosihle Mkhwanazi walking away as the well-deserved Player of the Match.

However, the Stars stumbled against the high-flying Sunbirds, suffering their second loss to them this season—this time by 40–49. But the real heartbreak came in their final game, a nail-biting 46–46 draw against Tshukudu. Despite dominating for most of the match, the Stars let the win slip through their fingers in the dying moments.

Coach Nompumelelo Mthembu shared her reflections:

“The game was tough, and we started strong. We’d planned to feed the ball to our shooters, but at times, we hesitated. Despite the setback, we have time to regroup and work on our composure and confidence. For the third leg, we’ll focus on attacking with poise and trusting our shooters to make their shots. We need them to be confident and decisive, not hesitant.”

Maduna and Nozipho Ntshangase were standout performers, showing leadership and tenacity in crucial moments, even as the team faced mounting pressure.

Kingdom Queens: A Royal Charge with Narrow Edges

The Kingdom Queens also came out swinging in Power Week 2, determined to make their mark—and they certainly did. They opened with a commanding 56–39 win over the Diamonds, with Thobekile Mjaja putting on a show worthy of her Player of the Match award.

Their momentum continued into Day 2, where they dismantled the Lilies 53–35. Nolwazi Mathe was in top form, her impact undeniable as she walked away with Player of the Match honors.

But just as the Queens were flying high, the Sunbirds swooped in to clip their wings. In one of the most tightly contested matches of the week, the Queens fell short by just one goal—losing 48–49 to the table-topping Sunbirds. Amanda Ntshangase was a standout despite the loss, her sharpshooting earning her the Player of the Match award.

As the curtain falls on Power Week 2, both the Stars and Queens leave with mixed feelings—moments of brilliance tempered by tough lessons. But with Power Week 3 on the horizon, set for July 14–20, 2025, there’s still everything to play for.