Mandeville Indoor Arena, Johannesburg — October 19–20, 2024
In a weekend packed with tension, talent, and turning points, the 2024 BNLSA Finals brought together seasoned champions and title-hungry challengers. While the KwaZulu Marlins carved their name into the record books with their first-ever men’s championship, the WC Mountaineers completed a three-peat in the women’s division, cementing their legacy as the most dominant women’s team in recent history.
Saturday, 19 October – Day One Dominance
The opening day of the finals saw both eventual champions set the tone with commanding Game 1 victories. First up on court at 12:00 PM, the WC Mountaineers faced off against the W-Tshwane Suns in the women’s final. The Mountaineers looked like a well-oiled machine, dismantling the Suns with a powerful offensive showing and overwhelming defensive rebounding. The match ended with a resounding 90–55 victory in favour of the Cape side.
It wasn’t just the scoreline that impressed—it was the balance across the roster. Thina Campbell led all scorers with 19 points, while Talita Mamani and Chauness Goliath chipped in with 17 and 16 points respectively. The team collected 64 rebounds, forced 26 turnovers, and held the Suns to just 31.4% shooting from the field. The Suns had little answer to the Mountaineers’ fast-paced ball movement and smothering defense. The message was clear: the Mountaineers were here to finish what they started.
Later that afternoon, at 14:00 PM, it was time for the men’s Game 1 matchup as the KwaZulu Marlins squared off against the Mpumalanga Rhinos. The Marlins exploded out of the gate and never looked back, cruising to an 86–55 win. It was a statement game. Sifiso Gininda dominated both ends of the floor, dropping 20 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The Marlins scored 32 fast break points, grabbed 63 total rebounds, and showcased their depth with 34 bench points. Their defense forced the Rhinos into low-percentage shots and double-digit turnovers. For the Rhinos, the battle looked uphill, with very little rhythm or offensive flow.
Sunday, 20 October – Holding On, Holding Strong
If Saturday was about dominance, Sunday was about resilience. At 11:00 AM, the WC Mountaineers returned for Game 2 against the Suns. This time, things were far more competitive. The Suns made crucial defensive adjustments and came out determined to extend the series. For four quarters, it was a tight, low-scoring battle. The lead changed 16 times, and the game was tied on 13 occasions.
In the end, it was the Mountaineers’ poise that prevailed. Lerato Ngakane, the Mountaineers’ captain, delivered clutch free throws and finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds, while Talita Mamani added 9 points and 17 rebounds, sealing a hard-fought 44–42 win. With the narrow victory, the Mountaineers swept the series 2–0 and celebrated their third consecutive BNLSA Women’s title—a dynasty built on chemistry, discipline, and a deep bench.
Then came the 13:00 PM men’s decider. Unlike the one-sided Game 1, Game 2 was a slugfest. The Rhinos, wounded but not broken, fought valiantly. They led at various moments and kept the game within reach until the final whistle. But again, the Marlins’ grit showed through. Gininda, proving he was the series MVP, scored another 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while captain Sibusiso Cele made timely defensive stops and vocalized leadership throughout. Tirivashe Gapara contributed significantly with 7 points and 10 rebounds, and Taite Hendricks sparked the second unit with 8 points off the bench.
The Rhinos, led by Ian Lembe and Joshua Tawengwa, showed flashes of brilliance, but it wasn’t enough. The final score—71–68—sealed a 2–0 sweep for the Marlins, giving them their first-ever men’s championship in BNLSA history.
Legacy Sealed, History Made
The 2024 BNLSA Finals were a tale of two triumphs—one born of relentless pursuit and redemption, and the other, a legacy cemented through discipline and dominance. The KwaZulu Marlins will remember this season as the year they broke through the glass ceiling. The WC Mountaineers, meanwhile, continue to reign with quiet excellence and undeniable superiority.
As the basketball world turns its eyes to the 2025 season, the bar has been raised, and the banners have been hung.
