PRETORIA, 19 August 2026 — This Women’s Month, the University of Pretoria’s TuksSport is celebrating women whose strength and resilience extend far beyond the sporting arena, from the competitive intensity of the netball court to the determination of runners taking on the streets of Pretoria.
At the centre of the celebration is the TuksNetball Varsity Cup squad, which is preparing to launch its 2026 Varsity Netball campaign under the leadership of head coach Amanda Mynhardt.
Mynhardt’s squad combines experienced players with emerging talent, bringing together versatility, youth, power and resilience as the team prepares to represent Tuks on one of the country’s premier university sporting platforms.
“This team embodies what Women’s Month is about,” says Mynhardt. “Strength isn’t just physical. It’s showing up for each other. It’s resilience when the pressure is on. These ladies are ready to be formidable.”
TuksNetball will open its Varsity Netball campaign on the first weekend of the competition, facing the University of the Free State before taking on defending champions NWU.
The 2026 TuksNetball Varsity squad comprises Jamie Williamson, Skyla Eley, Kamogelo Maseko, Lente Kroukamp, Jade Atkins, Kyla Dames, Phophi Nematangari, Nonnie Mjaliswa, Kristi Koekemoer, Kyla Venancio, Luca Keun and Kimberley Amiras.
While the netball squad prepares for battle on the court, another group of Tuks women is preparing for a very different sporting challenge.
Women taking on the road
The Sappi Tuks Night Race, scheduled for 9 September 2026, will see hundreds of women from across Pretoria take to the road at the Hillcrest Sports Campus.
For many participants, the race represents more than a test of physical endurance. Women are preparing around demanding work and study schedules, training with friends and running clubs, and even fitting in training while caring for young children.
Whether tackling the 5km or 10km, participants will share the same goal: to challenge themselves while celebrating wellness, community and the simple joy of being active.
The event reflects the broader spirit of this year’s Women’s Month message at TuksSport — that strength can take many forms.
On the netball court, it can mean trusting teammates, performing under pressure and competing for victory. On the road, it can mean finding the determination to keep moving, kilometre after kilometre.
Two sporting arenas, one powerful message
The connection between TuksNetball and the Sappi Tuks Night Race is captured in a simple message: different jerseys, different goals, same DNA — strength, resilience and power.
As the Varsity Netball season approaches and preparations intensify for the night race, TuksSport is using Women’s Month to recognise the women who continue to show up, push forward and inspire those around them.
For the TuksNetball players, the immediate challenge is to make a strong start to their Varsity Netball campaign.
For the women preparing for the Sappi Tuks Night Race, the challenge is personal — to set a goal, take the first step and keep going.
Together, their stories demonstrate how sport can create spaces where women build confidence, develop leadership, strengthen communities and discover their own capacity for resilience.
This Women’s Month, the message from TuksSport is clear: keep showing up, keep pushing and keep being formidable.
Sappi Tuks Night Race 2026
Date: 9 September 2026
Venue: Hillcrest Sports Campus, University of Pretoria
Start: 18:30
Distances: 5km and 10km
Entries: Open via Entry Ninja
