The SPAR Baby Proteas kickstarted their 2025 Netball World Youth Cup with a 102 – 27 win over Barbados on Saturday – a team that they have faced and beaten three times.
Barbados is playing their sixth Netball World Youth Cup while South Africa is here for the 7th time.
SPAR Baby Proteas came into this match as firm favourites based on the history between the two nations – however it was Barbados who got off the mark first and taking the lead from the centre PASS, South Africa were very quick to respond and taking charge of the match. The attacking duo of Prinsloo and Smith seems to have been wonder as the first quarter ended 25 – 7.
Coach Precious Mthembu kept the same team coming into the second quarter and they continued where they left off In the first fifteen minutes of the match. They took the game to Barbados a lot more and continued suffocating the middle of the court which made it difficult for Barbados to stretch South Africa and play. Mthembu made a change midway through the second quarter with Renezia Andrews coming in for Luane Smith. At the end of the quarter it was the SPAR Baby Proteas who were leading 29 – 8 taking the overall score to 54 -15.
South Africa had made last minute changes to their team just a few hours before the match with Jade Atkins withdrawn from the team due to an injury and replaced by Renezia Andrews.
With the start of the Championship quarte, coach Mthembu made two changes and brought in some fresh legs on court. Nematangari was very crucial in the Wing Defence role and winning almost every single intercept, she was marshalling the defence like a true lieutenant. South Africa was very tight at the back and restricted Barbados to scoring only six goals while on the other end netted 34. At the end of the quarter, it was the SPAR Baby Proteas who were leading 77 -21.
SPAR Baby Proteas recorded their 31st win of the Netball World Youth Cup by winning the match 102 – 27. This is the highest score that the SPAR Baby Proteas recorded against Barbados in the history of the two teams.
“What a great performance tonight that was displayed by our players. I am thoroughly impressed by players energy, they were so focused, the team worked. I think we executed our game plan very well especially offensively – we shared the ball very nicely and everyone on court was able to contribute. It is games like these that remind one of how and why discipline is important. The score did not alter our discipline,” said the elated SPAR Baby Proteas head coach President Mthembu.
South Africa’s next match will be up against Trinidad and Tobago on Monday at 10am.