The Spar Proteas wrapped their 2025 international season triumphantly with a series win over the Netball World Cup silver medallists.
South Africa hosted England for a three test series at the Ellis Park Arena, Johannesburg and the Jenny van Dyk led side earned an impressive 2–1 series triumph.
Securing a win in the first match was crucial in giving the Proteas the confidence in needed throughout the series. The defensive combinations of Jamie Golob (nee van Wyk), Sanmarie Visser, and Juanita van Tonder worked wonders, managing to make several turnovers and crucial rebounds in the Vitality Roses shooting circle.
South Africa’s shooting circle was also kept steady in that first match. 2025 Netball Super League Player of the Season, Rolene Streutker and Owethu Ngubane gelled seamlessly, securing the 52-28 win.
Drawing first blood gave the South African coaching staff to test other combinations in the team which saw them hand Thulisile Maduna her Proteas debut. She was paired with Nozipho Ntshangase in the defensive circle in the third quarter of the second match.
The Roses capitalised on the less experienced pair in the circle and claimed their only win of the series, taking the game 61-49.
The defensive trio of Golob Visser and Tonder continued their fine form in the last test, while Elmere van der Berg and Ngubane held the fort upfront. The team blended well and dominated the match from the first quarter to hand South Africa the series, taking a 65-50 victory.
Van Dyk says the series was a good opportunity to test her side before the Commonwealth Games later in the year.
“It helps a lot. The players will be going back to their clubs now with a confidence boost. We made a promise that we have got some work to do in the next five months and everybody is on board to make sure when we leave for the Commonwealth Games we are the fittest, strongest and the most conditioned and physically ready for the challenge. It took a lot of effort, a lot of hard work and losses to get to this point. It is a confidence booster but we also understand that the most important part is getting that win when it really matters,” says van Dyk.
Captain Khanyisa Chawane says the series win is a token of appreciation to South Africans for their continued support.
“Finally! We are always in that final with England and they always get the 2-1 and finally it is on our side and at home. I love it. Yesterday we let our fans down but they didn’t let us down and came back today and we had the responsibility to make them proud. They have been with us through the thick and thin, going up and going down. I think making South Africa proud was the one thing that was in our hearts,” says Chawane.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Player of the Tournament - Sanmarie Visser (South Africa)
Best Shooter - Owethu Ngubane (South Africa)
Best Mid-court Player - Tarle Mathe (South Africa)
Best Defender - Fran Williams (England)