Skip to main content

From Lamontville to TNL Champion: Tarle Mathe’s Golden Rise

Born and raised in Lamontville, Durban, Tarle Mathe has gone from a young netball dreamer in KwaZulu-Natal to one of the standout stars of the 2025 Telkom Netball League. Fresh off an undefeated championship run with the Gauteng Golden Fireballs, we caught up with the former Kingdom Stars and Kingdom Queens player to reflect on a season she proudly describes as historical. Golden Fireballs Results

Tarle Mathe © Backpagepix

“My 2025 netball season has been one for the books. Nothing stands out more than a podium finish and a gold medal. Winning the USSA for [University of Johannesburg] UJ — a first in history — and then going into the TNL and finishing unbeaten, that’s historical for me.”

But Mathe's success hasn’t come without obstacles. TNL Log Standings

“I suffered a concussion during the [University Sports South Africa] USSA tournament. That was my toughest challenge this year. Not being able to train properly and still having to give my all in competition really tested me.”

Tarle Mathe © Backpagepix

When asked what advice she has for young girls watching her rise:

“Your dreams are valid. Anything is possible with God and if you believe. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

🎮 Rapid Fire with Tarle:

🏐 Centre pass or interception — what gets you more hyped? Interception

📚 Class at 8AM or training at 6AM — what’s worse? 6 am training

🎶 Current song on repeat in your playlist? Bafoo 10.9 Bukzi

🍕 Cheat meal of choice after a big game? Chilli cheese burger

📱 TikTok, Instagram or Netflix — what’s your guilty pleasure? TikTok any day

Tarle Mathe © Backpagepix

🎒 Who’s the loudest teammate in the Fireballs locker room? Myself 😭😭

🧠 If you weren’t playing netball, what sport would you try? I would be a house wife 😭😂😂

👟 Sneakers or slides? Sneakers

🧋Iced coffee or smoothie after training? None

One word to describe what it feels like repping Gauteng?

🥇 Most competitive teammate — who takes things way too seriously in training? Corry (Cornelia Mupenda)

Gauteng Golden Fireballs © Backpagepix

✨ Dream travel destination when you finally get time off? Maldives

💅 Off-day vibes: Netflix and chill or brunch and shopping? Sleep

🧼 Pre-game ritual you have to do or the game feels off? Eish

🐶 Pets or no pets? If yes, tell us their name! No pets

🔮 If we checked your vision board, what’s one big goal sitting there? Being more closer to God and playing overseas

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From Dreams to Reality: Inside the World of TUT Matsatsantsa's Thabiso Senyatsi.

Meet Thabiso Senyatsi, a rising star in South African women's football. At just 20 years old, she has already made a name for herself as a forward for TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies Football Club in the Hollywoodbets Super League.  Thabiso Senyatsi © Gallo Images Known for her incredible goal-scoring ability, Thabiso is one of TUT's leading top goal scorers, and her journey through the ranks of South African football is nothing short of inspiring. From her early days at First Touch Academy to her time at the Limpopo Sport School of Excellence, Thabiso's dedication and passion for the game have propelled her to the forefront of women's football. Get ready to learn more about this dynamic player who is quickly becoming a household name. Can you tell us about your early years? Where did you grow up?  I was always overlooked by my family because of my marks [academics] so what helped me a lot was [playing] soccer along the way. I’m from Moletjie Mabokelele in Polokwane. How did yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Meet the Inspiring WAFCON Debutant Playing Without Sponsors: Dineo Magagula’s Story

From the dusty streets of Kgaphamadi in Limpopo to the bright lights of the 2024 WAFCON stage, Dineo Magagula is the definition of resilience. Born and raised in a small village where football is more than just a sport—it’s a way out—Dineo’s journey began with playing barefoot with boys after school. At the time, she didn’t have gloves, boots, or even proper gear—but what she did have was passion. Dineo Magagula clean sheets Dineo Magagula  © Gallo Images “I used to play with my cousins and the local boys’ teams. I fell in love with soccer because it was the one thing that made me feel alive,” she says. Despite the many challenges, including financial constraints that made it almost impossible to afford proper goalkeeping equipment, Dineo never stopped dreaming. Her mother, her biggest supporter, made sacrifices to help her buy gear whenever she could, sometimes saving for months just to afford a single pair of gloves. “I would buy whatever gloves I could afford. Sometimes I had to...
2 comments
Read more

Leading the Charge: Refilwe Maseko Reflects on UJ's Triumph in Hollywoodbets Super League Opener

  As the new Hollywoodbets Super League season kicked off for the 2024 calendar year on Saturday, the University of Johannesburg's women's football team, under the capable leadership of Captain Refilwe Maseko, secured an impressive victory against First Touch Ladies.  In a thrilling match that saw UJ triumph with a 4-1 scoreline, Maseko stood out not only as the captain but also as a key contributor, netting two crucial goals and led her squad with determination. In an exclusive interview with the UJ Women's football captain, we delved into the captain's preparation for the match and her aspirations for the new Hollywoodbets Super League season.  Photocred: UJ Sport/Abuyile Mkumbuzi “As a team we focused on our strengths and how we would use those strengths to our advantage. Coach laid out a ‘blueprint’ on how we should play ideally but obviously we added a bit of individual brilliance according to the positions. ” Expressed the Captain. Maseko continued and shared how...
Post a Comment
Read more