Unbeaten and top of the 2023 Varsity Netball log standings. It would be a mistake to think that the "Tuks Girls" have reached their peak.

Phophi Nematangari confidently predicts that the best is yet to come. She would know, being one of the team's star players. Nematangari was Player of the Match in Tuks's last two games.

"I know we are capable of playing even better. It is not as if I am overconfident. Part of our team's success is to understand the importance of remaining humble. Any team is only as good as the last game played. Our challenge is not to take 'the foot off the pedal'."

The team has good reason to be so motivated. If Tuks wins the Varsity title, their on-court heroics might be immortalised with a team photo hanging from the walls of the Tuks Sports Centre. According to Nematangari, it would be a special memory.

But for now, it is a case of first things first. On Monday in Stellenbosch, Tuks is playing Northwest in their final pool game. It could be a dress rehearsal for the final. Northwest is, for now, the only other unbeaten team.

Nematangari expects it to be a tough encounter, but she would have it no other way.

"If we are pushed to our limits, it will be a good thing as it will help us keep our momentum for the playoffs," said Nematangari, who plays goal or wing defence.

When asked what she brings to the team, she answered, "My best quality is that I can step up at vital moments of a game. There was that one Varsity match where our opponents were on the attack in the dying moments. If they had scored, we would have lost. I managed to intercept the ball. It helped us win."

Intercepting vital passes is second nature to Nematangari. She, however, refuses to take credit for her on-court heroics.

"It is a team effort. My teammates are my 'partners in crime'. Or should I say that it is a team effort? I won't be able to do what I do if they don't pressure our opponents. My role is to watch the ball and bide my time for the right moment to 'strike'. To intercept."

Nematangari admits to expecting Tuks to beat Maties on Monday by more than 20 goals.

"I expected it to be a much closer encounter, but then again, we did our homework beforehand. We knew exactly how Maties would go about their game plan, and we strategized how to counter them. It was a sweet victory, especially after losing twice against them during the USSA Netball Champs."