The Free State Crinums have received a massive boost ahead of the 2024 Telkom Netball League which gets underway next week in Johannesburg.

The three-time champions and last year’s runners-up will have the services of one of the world’s very best players at their disposal this season.

The legendary Proteas and Free State player, Karla Pretorius, will be playing for the Crinums again for the first time in eight years.

Up until last year Pretorius was playing her netball for the Sunshine Coast Lightning in Australia after signing for the team back in 216.

Pretorius was the player of the tournament at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England, while in 2023 she was the Proteas vice-captain for the event which was hosted in Cape Town for the first time ever.

Last year Pretorius finished up in Australia and there were suggestions that she would be calling it a day.

The stalwart of South African, Free State and Kovsies netball told OFM Sport that she is beyond excited to play for the Crinums again and she welcomes the important role she will have to play.

“I'm very excited and I'm looking forward to competing locally again in the Telkom Netball League, said Pretorius.

“It's been eight years that I've been absent from this league and I'm looking forward to putting on the Free State Crinums dress again.

“I know I have a role to lead and mentor the younger ones, but it is something that I’m really looking forward to. At the end of the day, it's all about doing the hard work and being the best that I can be for this group and for this team.”

The Crinums will face the defending champions, the Gauteng Jaguars, in their opening game of the tournament and Pretorius added that from the get-go they have to be at their best.

“Our first game, straight-up, is against the winners of last year, the Jaguars, so from the get-go it's going to be tough out there, but we're looking forward to the challenge and we can't wait.”

The 2024 TNL starts next week Friday at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg and the Crinums and Jaguars will lock-horns on Saturday in Division 1.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport