The Spar Baby Proteas remained unbeaten to secure their spot in the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 in Gibraltar with a 45-26 victory over Malawi in the final of the Africa Regional Qualifiers in Pretoria on Saturday.
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— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) March 23, 2024
Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers Africa 🌍
Victory today and our spot booked for Gibraltar 2025! 👏 The Baby SPAR Proteas WIN the Africa Qualifiers FINAL. 🙌#SPARBabyProteas | #SAU21 | #TogetherWeRise | #NWYC2025GIB pic.twitter.com/s1syOkRKAM
The Malawians, whose only loss in the qualifiers came against South Africa, used their height and physical advantage against the Baby Proteas, but this did not deter the South Africans who enjoyed the support of the home crowd.
The Baby Proteas took the first quarter 12-5, but the Malawians fought back to edge the second quarter 9-8 as South Africa held a 20-14 halftime lead.
The Baby Proteas dug deep in the Championship quarter and their discipline and precision saw them taking the spoils 12-5 and extend their lead to 32-19.
Malawi’s goalkeeper Shabel Bengo was sent off for a dangerous foul on Renezia Andrews just as the last quarter started and the Baby Proteas used their numerical advantage wisely as they piled on the goals to make sure that they win the match and keep their winning record intact.
Player of the Match - Syntiche Kabuya 🇿🇦
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) March 23, 2024
Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers Africa 🌍
🇿🇦🆚🇲🇼#SPARBabyProteas | #SAU21 | #TogetherWeRise | #NWYC2025GIB pic.twitter.com/8cUIrvMXVa
Earlier, Kenya overcame Namibia 50-42 to secure fifth spot, while Zambia held their nerve to edge Zimbabwe 43-41 in the third-place playoff match to secure their spot in Gibraltar next year.
FINAL STANDINGS 📈
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) March 23, 2024
Netball World Youth Cup 2025 Qualifiers Africa 🌍#TogetherWeRise | #NWYC2025GIB pic.twitter.com/QcrQg7hNaW
OVERALL WINNERS
Most Disciplined Team – Zambia
Most Promising Player – Harriet Muchuma
Best Shooter – Thandazile Ndlovu
Best Mid Court player – Phophi Nematangari
Best Defender – Sanmarie Visser
Player of the Tournament – Karla Victor