In a nail-biting finish in Gqeberha, Tuks' unbeaten streak came to a halt as they fell 62–61 to North-West University (NWU) in Round 4 of the 2024 Varsity Netball campaign. This marks Tuks' first defeat in 13 games, after going undefeated throughout last year’s Varsity campaign with nine consecutive wins to clinch the title. This season, they had secured three victories before this narrow loss.

Statistically, Tuks dominated across the board, with more attempts at goal, a higher shooting percentage, and more intercepts. But the only stat that mattered in the end was the scoreboard.

Kudos to the NWU team because they were the team who wanted it more. They stayed disciplined, made the right changes at the right time and were so clinical when they had the ball in hand. 

The game was decided in the two powerplays. Tuks could only score four points, while NWU upped their tally by 12. 

Tuks is still second on the log despite the loss with 13 points. UJ, the only unbeaten team, has 16 points. Kovsies, with 13, and Northwest, with 12, are the other teams in the top four.

The reality is that Tuks could be in for a tough challenge. They ought to secure a semifinal spot if they can win one more game. It is, however, not going to be easy. This coming Monday at the Rembrandt Hall, they are playing Maties. 

For the team from Stellenboch, it is a must-win game as they already lost twice. Another defeat could end their aspirations of contesting the semifinals. If Tuks lose, things might also get tricky, as in their last two games, they will play Kovsies and UJ.

If there is one thing that Tuks netball fans know about watching their team play, it is that tough times never last, but tough players do. Luca Keun, who played for the Tuks the previous year when they did not lose once, would vouch for it. She prides herself in her never-say-die attitude during a game.

"I believe a game can be won or lost in the last three seconds. It is why I am prepared to 'fight' for a victory until the referee's whistle blows for the final time. This goes for all of us. The nice thing about playing for Tuks is knowing your teammates have your back."

When Keun says this, it can't be helped to think about the famous Three Musketeers quote all for one and one for all. It is what Tuks netball is about.

Shadine van der Merwe, who captained Tuks to their first Varsity Netball title in 2017, is now an assistant coach. To have a role model as a coach is special to Keun. 

"Shadine has changed how I play as a goalkeeper or goal defence as she encourages me to be bolder. To her, making a mistake is not the end of the world; what matters is making a bold move that could change the outcome of the game."