Veteran Karla Pretorious has been the defensive rock on which the Crinums' unbeaten run in TNL Power Week 1 has been built.
Image: Netball SA
The Free State Crinums have made an emphatic start to the 2026 Telkom Netball League season, and the return of veteran defender Karla Pretorius could prove to be the missing piece in their bid to reclaim the title.
After falling short against the Golden Fireballs in last year’s final, the Crinums have looked sharp and composed during Power Week 1 in Durban — with 36-year-old Pretorius once again providing leadership, intensity, and defensive steel. Martha Mosoahle-Samm's team topped the standings with a perfect six wins from six matches.
Now, with Power Week 2 set for Johannesburg next week, the challenge becomes even greater as the Fireballs and record six-time champions, the Jaguars, prepare to enjoy home-crowd backing in what could be decisive clashes in the title race. But if there is one player who understands the demands of championship netball, it is Pretorius.
The former Spar Proteas star won three straight TNL titles with the Crinums and enjoyed successful professional stints in both the UK and Australia before returning home. After stepping away from the sport in 2025, she is back captaining the Bloemfontein side with renewed perspective and hunger.
“Right now, I see my netball career as complete in the best way,” Pretorius told Netball SA in a recent interview. “I’ve achieved what I set out to, and that gives me a real sense of freedom. I step onto court with pride, contentment, and gratitude. There’s nothing to lose — only an opportunity to give everything I have, every single time.”
That freedom has translated into the composed, high-intensity performances that have long made her one of South Africa’s most respected defenders. Pretorius admits, however, that her comeback was far from straightforward. The former Sunshine Coast Lightning player revealed that her time away from the game followed personal challenges and one of the toughest periods of her life.
“I had to fight my way back, physically and emotionally,” she explained. “November 2025 was one of the lowest points I’ve ever faced. I was at my most unfit, and mentally in a deep hole. But this chapter of my journey will not be defined by the outcome — it will be defined by the courage to start again.”
Her influence now stretches beyond the court. Pretorius has also moved into coaching as director of netball at Hoërskool Fichardtpark in Bloemfontein, something she believes has deepened her understanding of the game. “Starting coaching has added a whole new layer to my netball understanding,” she said. “It’s pushed me to think deeper, to see the game differently, and to lead with more intention.”
That leadership has been evident in the Crinums’ fast start to the season, with Pretorius determined to create an environment where her teammates can thrive. “We know the grind. We know the work and we won’t give up until we bring the title home,” she said.
Whether the Crinums can finish the job may depend on how they handle the pressure of Johannesburg in Power Week 2. But with Pretorius back organising the defensive circle and driving standards, they once again look like genuine contenders.