Karin Burger Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Karin Burger has become the fifth Silver Fern to sign up with an Australian netball team for 2026.
Burger, who helped the Tactix achieve their first ANZ Premiership title last month, will play for the Sunshine Coast Lightning next year.
She is the latest Silver Fern to be granted an exemption to play in the Australian domestic league, in the wake of Netball New Zealand loosening its eligibility rules.
Kelly Jackson, Maddy Gordon, and Kate Heffernan will also play across the Tasman, as well as Grace Nweke who will return for her second season.
Former Silver Ferns Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Jane Watson will also play in Australia next year, but as they did not make themselves available for New Zealand selection, the pair did not need to apply for any exemption.
The Tactix thanked Burger for five "remarkable seasons" at the franchise.
"Karin has been a force to be reckoned with - bringing relentless energy, sharp instinct, and absolute commitment to the Tactix. Whether it was her clutch intercepts, momentum-shifting hustle, or crowd lifting moments, Karin delivered time and time again."
The Tactix have now lost three of their title winning team to the Australian league. For five seasons Burger and Watson formed one of the most formidable defensive pairings in the ANZ Premiership. Selby-Rickit too has been a stalwart of the side and this year enjoyed some of her best form.
Burger also won back-to-back titles with the Pulse in 2019 and 2020 and was awarded ANZ Premiership Player of the Year in 2021.
Burger said while it was a big decision, she was looking forward to playing in the Suncorp Super Netball league.
"I'm really excited to start this new chapter in the SSN with Sunshine Coast Lighting," she said.
"They have so much talent and experience in their group and there's also some personal familiarity in the Sunny Coast for me.
"It was a big decision to make, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity to test and develop my game playing alongside and against some world-class players."
Sunshine Coast Lightning Head Coach Belinda Reynolds praised Burger's current form.
"Karin is a world-class defender and has been playing some of her best netball in the ANZ Premiership and for the NZ Ferns," Reynolds said.
"In the past season, Karin notched up seven intercepts, 39 deflections, 33 pick-ups and 38 gains. She's a ball winner and I'm looking forward to seeing her thrive in the Lightning environment and on the SSN stage.
"It's exciting to welcome a player of her calibre to our team and I look forward to seeing what she can bring to the side in 2026."
The Lightning's defensive end already includes Australian Diamond Courtney Bruce and Diamond-in-waiting Ash Ervin.
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