SA netballers beat Uganda to claim fifth spot at Commonwealth Games

South Africa's netball team claimed the African bragging rights as they defeated Uganda 62-54 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to claim fifth spot overall.

South Africa beat Uganda to claim all bragging rights and finish 5th at the 2026 Commonwealth Games 🇿🇦

👉 https://t.co/j1Nbvv2be9 #TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Glasgow2026

📸 @WorldNetball_ / @hbavinphoto pic.twitter.com/mnd5WqEEox
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) July 31, 2026

For the second consecutive time in four years, two African giants met for the classification match – it was Uganda who emerged victorious the last time the two met in Birmingham.

South Africa coach Jenny van Dyk started with a slightly different line-up from the one that took to the court last night against England. Karla Pretorius, Owethu Ngubane and Tarle Mathe started on the bench.

With bragging rights and African pride on the line, South Africa got off to flying start and led the opening quarter for a good ten minutes.

However, their opponents quickly settled and began to chip away at South Africa’s lead and at the end of the quarter, it was Uganda who led 17-12.

Tarle Mathe took to the court at the start of the second quarter in place of Nketsa at Centre.

South Africa found their mojo in the second quarter and took the game to Uganda.

They capitalised on Ugandan errors to clinch the quarter 20-11 to enjoy a half-time lead of 32 -28.

The two teams were evenly matched at the start of the third quarter and traded blows throughout as South Africa narrowly won the quarter 16-13 to take an overall lead of 48-41.

With a lot of tired bodies on court after three intense quarters, the tempo slowed down in the finale. However, South Africa remained disciplined and managed to walk away with the victory and fifth spot overall.

South Africa bounce back to beat Uganda by 8 points 👏

They finished the Commonwealth Games in 5th place, and Uganda in 6th place.#Glasgow2026 #SSCommonwealthGames pic.twitter.com/BJWL7QNimN
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 31, 2026