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The 2024 netball season bows out

netball18 December 2024 10:00
By:Busisiwe Mokwena
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Spar Proteas @ Gallo Images

The 2024 South African netball season has come to an end and it was nothing short of exciting. The three national teams didn’t disappoint throughout the year and gave fans the performances and results they were hoping for.

As the senior national teams returns to the January international series, the Vitality Netball Nations Cup and the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series, supporters will be hoping for an impressive and exciting 2025.

Spar Proteas

The senior women’s national team saw a lot of changes this year. The departure of Australian mentors, Norma Plummer and Nicole Cusack meant an open spot for a new coaching duo. Jenny van Dyk and Zanele Mdodana have numerous feathers on their hats individually and the combo will be looked up to in taking South Africa to the next level.

Their first rodeo was a sublime 3-0 win over Malawi in a test match and they further went on to win the Africa Netball Cup again after South Africa missed the tournament last year.

Khanyisa Chawane took over the captain reigns from the most capped Protea, Bongiwe Msomi. Veteran defender, Karla Pretorius continues in her position as vice-captain.

The “new” Baby Proteas coaching team, Precious Mthembu and her assistant, Phumza Maweni also started their reign on a good note. Registering a perfect 100 per cent win record in the Netball World Youth Cup Africa qualifiers to take gold and also get a spot in the global competition in Gibraltar in 2025.

Puma Proteas

The senior men’s netball soar to great heights again in 2024. The Jabulani Vilane-led side took a clinical win over Zimbabwe in a friendly test match in which Vilane used as a yardstick to see the depth of the pool of players in the country. This was followed by an impressive performance at the Africa Netball Cup in which South Africa were looking to defend their continental title.

During the competition, the coaching staff awarded seven players with their first senior caps, a testament of the depth of talent in South Africa. Some players such as Shane Labuschagne and Vukile Zulu had already donned the green and gold, although it was in the shorter format of the sport, at the Fast5 World Series. The Puma Proteas excelled yet again on the continent and successfully defended their title.

USSA netball

University Sport South Africa made a monumental move by launching the men’s competition. USSA Netball chairperson, Dumisani Chauke explains this massive move.

“Looking at the other sporting codes like football, rugby, cricket, hockey, and basketball all having both male and female divisions, it was only a matter of time until USSA Netball followed suit. Part of our research was to find out how many male players Netball SA have, we found that quite a lot of their players who play in districts and provinces were student-athletes. It was a natural progression for us to create a platform for our male student-athletes to show their netball talent. This move spells growth, inclusivity, and coming together to grow the sport. Treating everyone equally and (providing) equal opportunities,” says Chauke.

The former Proteas assistant coach reckons that men’s netball is growing around the world and is hopeful that more African teams will introduce teams.

“Already globally, countries are realising that men can also play netball. Globally the sport is growing and hopefully one day we will be able to have a world championship for men like we do for females,” she says.

The Tshwane University of Technology were the winners of the men’s inaugural tournament after beating the University of Johannesburg (UJ) while the University of Pretoria took gold in the women’s A division with UJ taking home silver.

Varsity Netball

The University of the Free State returned to the top of the competition after two years of not making it to the finals. Kovsies became the most decorated side in the tournament as they clinched their fifth title in a nail-biting final against the University of Johannesburg. It took overtime to set apart the winners and silver medallists after the match had ended 47-47.

The UJ coaching staff and players have to be commended for the effort they put in the season. The Orange Army secured a second consecutive final of the tournament, coach Bongiwe Msomi is creating a formidable and hungry side in the south of Gauteng.

Spar National Championship

Johannesburg did the double in this year’s Championship with both the senior and the Under-21 side walking away with gold medals. The Dr Elsje Jordaan led her side to a third consecutive title in the senior A division, in a nail-biting final, to sweep off Mangaung who had beaten the side in the group stages. The victory elevates Johannesburg to the league of teams that have won this title multiple times.

Mangaung coach Martha Mosoahle-Samm hoped to record a second nod for the year after leading the Free State Crinums to their fourth league title.

Meanwhile, Msomi must be pleased that her first season with the Johannesburg Under-21 side after the team struggled in the last edition held in Rustenburg, where they finished the tournament without registering a single win.

“I am really proud of the work I did not only behind the scenes but (also of) the girls. It gives them the confidence and assures them that netball is for everyone,” says Msomi.

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