If someone told the 19-year old Mbalenhle Ntuli (Tuks) at the beginning of the year that she would play netball for South Africa, she possibly would have laughed out loud. 

But that is precisely what she will be doing in two weeks. Ntuli has been selected for the South African under-21 side that will play against Zimbabwe from 29 November in Bellville. 

She readily admits to being slightly overwhelmed when she joined Tuks at the beginning of the year.

"At first it felt like I kinda had to relearn the sport. I knew the rules and understood the basics of the game, but I was not used to the intensity of the play at Tuks. 

"So when I made the Tuks under-19A side it was like 'oh my god' I have made it. I am like a Tuks player. Can it be for real? It was big for me. I would have been happy to only play for the under-19 team. Suddenly I was playing Varsity netball. Now I am going to play for South Africa. I wake up every morning thinking 'wow' a lot has happened this year. I am truly blessed." 

Ntuli considers being part of the Tuks team that won the Varsity Tournament as an unbelievable humbling experience.

"I must admit there were times during the tournament in which I tended to get emotionally carried away. 'Fangirling' my teammates. Like, go 'Bubbles', go Marlize! Only to realise 'oh wait' I am training with these people. It should not be that amazing, but it was.

"Being on the sidelines and on the court during the Varsity Tournament, experiencing what greatness is made of is something I will never forget."

According to Ntuli, the most important thing she learned is that being the star of the team is not what netball should be about. 

"For me, it is about supporting my teammates being someone they can depend on. The biggest reward, in the end, is to know that in some small way, I contributed to the team's success."

Ntuli had been on a rollercoaster as to the positions she played this season. When she arrived at Tuks, she was hellbent on playing goalkeeper.

"I believed I was the best in defence of the circle. I, however, quickly realised that I am not tall enough. So I ended up playing goal defence and wing defence. I even played goal shooter for the Tshwane under-21 side. 

"I will be forever grateful for the way Akosua (Bubbles) Mensah mentored me to the finer intricacies of what playing wing defence entails. In the beginning, when I battled to get over the line to make the crucial intercepts, she took me aside and helped me. 

"Bubbles often said to me even though I might not be familiar with the position I am playing there is only one thing that matters and that is to prove that you belong to be on the court."

Jamie van Wyk, Venetia Grobler and Danielle van Zyl are the other Tuks players in the SA under-21 side.