Following a historic and dominant 2026 campaign, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Netball Club is celebrating a major milestone as two of its star defenders secure prestigious international contracts.
Fresh off leading the Orange Army to their maiden Varsity Netball tournament title in September, UJ captain and Namibian international Cornelia Mupenda has officially signed with elite Australian outfit Peninsula Waves, based in Victoria.
“I’m incredibly grateful and excited for this new chapter with Peninsula Waves in Australia. Having been part of UJ Netball, where I’ve grown tremendously as both a player and a person, I feel prepared to take on this new challenge,” says Mupenda.
She added, “I look forward to learning from a different netball environment, sharing my experience and leadership, and continuing to develop my game. This opportunity is another step towards achieving my bigger dreams in netball, and I hope to continue making UJ and Namibia proud.”
Mupenda is set to ply her trade in Australia’s high-caliber Victorian Netball League (VNL) for the 2027 season. Her international signing comes on the heels of a stellar individual performance at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup in Kenya, where the formidable Goal Keeper was named the Best Netball Defender in Africa.
Mupenda’s signing tops off a monumental year of leadership and history-making achievements. Under her captaincy, UJ enjoyed an extraordinary run – securing back-to-back University Sport South Africa (USSA) titles before capping off their dominance by lifting the coveted Varsity Netball trophy for the first time in the university’s history.
Adding to the club’s international acclaim, fellow defensive powerhouse Amara Agbai is also making a big cross-continental move. The standout Goal Keeper has joined the UK-based University of Hertfordshire. Agbai was a vital pillar in UJ’s championship-winning campaign, delivering consistently brilliant performances under pressure and earning an FNB Player of the Match award along the way.
“I’m very excited for the experiences that I’m going to have in England because it’s a different environment and level of netball. They push players to do more than we think we know and can do. I know I thrive in new environments because I do not like staying in the same environment for too long. I feel that I do better when I’m not in my comfort zone. I’m looking forward to all the new things I will learn on my new journey,” says Agbai.
Speaking on upcoming opportunities, Agbai says she’s looking forward to elevating her skills and harnessing her netball talent in what lays ahead.
Both departures mark a proud moment for UJ Netball, highlighting the programme’s growing reputation as a launchpad for elite, world-class talent.
“Seeing our players step onto the international stage is an incredible moment for the entire UJ Netball family,” says UJ Netball Head Coach, Bongiwe Msomi. “Both Mupenda and Amara have put in immense work this season, demonstrating world-class discipline and passion. To see them transition from winning national titles with the Orange Army to signing overseas contracts is a testament to their dedication and the caliber of talent we are cultivating here. We couldn’t be prouder and wish them the absolute best on their next chapters.”
As Mupenda and Agbai prepare for their overseas journeys, UJ Netball continues to celebrate a legendary 2026 season that has cemented its place in university sports history. Earlier, Goal Shooter Owethu Ngubane played in England for the Birmingham Panthers in the Netball Super League. Coming after her was Tarle Mathe who was recently signed by the NIC Rhinos Netball Club for the 2027 season.
Follow UJ Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram for daily updates.
