National netball team
The South Africa national netball team , also known as the SPAR Proteas , represent Netball South Africa in international netball tournaments, such as the Netball World Cup , the Commonwealth Games , the Netball Quad Series and the Fast5 Netball World Series . Their best result in a major tournament is a silver medal at the 1995 World Netball Championships . As of 1 March 2024, South Africa are currently fifth in the World Netball Rankings .
History
Early tests
In 1956 , South Africa hosted a touring England . The tour featured a series of three Tests , with England winning all three.[ 1] [ 2] In 1959 South Africa toured England for the first time, winning 18 out of 25 matches. However, they once again lost all three Test matches against England.[ 1]
Tournament history
Major tournaments
Netball World Cup
South Africa made their World Netball Championships/Netball World Cup debut at the inaugural 1963 tournament. Despite victories over Scotland , the West Indies, Wales and Ceylon , they finished sixth.[ 3] [ 4] In 1967 they were bronze medalists.[ 5] However, between 1971 and 1991 , South Africa was unable to compete because of the sporting boycott during the apartheid era .[ 4] [ 6] In 1995 , South Africa returned and with an all-white team coached by Marlene Wagner, captained by Debbie Hamman and featuring Irene van Dyk and Elize Kotze , they finished as silver medalists. During the tournament they defeated both England and New Zealand before losing in the final to Australia . In 1996 Wagner, Hamman and van Dyk were all honoured by President Nelson Mandela personally.[ 4] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] South Africa hosted the 2023 Netball World Cup .[ 4] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
Source :[ 24]
Commonwealth Games
South Africa have competed at every netball tournament at the Commonwealth Games . They have never medalled in the Commonwealth Games. Their highest finish in the event came in 1998 when they finished 4th, after losing the bronze medal match to England 56–54.[ 25] [ 26] Ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games , Netball South Africa awarded 24 players professional contracts for the first time. They included Khanyisa Chawane , Marlize de Bruin , Izette Griesel , Phumza Maweni , Bongiwe Msomi , Lenize Potgieter , Karla Pretorius , Lefebre Rademan , Nichole Taljaard , Shadine van der Merwe , Ine-Marí Venter and Zanele Vimbela .[ 27] [ 28]
Sources :[ 25]
Netball Quad Series/Nations Cup
Since 2012 , South Africa have competed in the Netball Quad Series , playing against Australia , England and New Zealand . South Africa has never finished above fourth place in the series.[ 38]
Fast5 Netball World Series
Since 2011 , when they made their debut in the second tournament, South Africa has competed at every Fast5 Netball World Series . South Africa’s best performance in the series was in 2022 , when they gained a silver medal after losing to Australia in the final. Their best previous performance was a third place finish in 2012 .[ 58] [ 59] [ 60]
Sources :[ 59] [ 60]
African tournaments
South Africa also competes in competitions against other African national teams . These include the Africa Netball Cup , the Diamond Challenge , tournaments at the All-Africa Games and Netball World Cup qualifiers.[ 71] [ 72] [ 73]
All-Africa Games
At the 1995 World Netball Championships , South Africa had featured only white players. At the 1995 All-Africa Games , officials reguested that South Africa include six non-white players. This saw six members from the silver medal winning squad dropped and replaced. The six remaining white players subsequently withdrew on 1 September, protesting that the team was not selected by merit. So on 6 September a totally new squad was named.[ 8]
Africa Netball Cup
Netball South Africa Diamond Challenge
Since 2012, Netball South Africa has hosted the Diamond Challenge . The trophy is contested with mainly visiting African national teams .
Netball World Cup qualifiers
Guest appearances
Notable players
Current squad
The current squad was selected for the August 2024 series against Malawi .
South Africa roster
Players
Coaches
Name
Pos
DOB
Height
Club
Nat
Caps
Elmeré van der Berg
GS, GA
(2001-04-09 ) 9 April 2001 (age 23)
1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Manchester Thunder
Khanyisa Chawane (c)
WD,C,WA
(1996-01-14 ) 14 January 1996 (age 28)
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Cardiff Dragons
Boitumelo Mahloko
WD, GD
(2001-01-24 ) 24 January 2001 (age 23)
1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Gauteng Golden Fireballs
Kamogelo Maseko
GA, WA
(2002-03-30 ) 30 March 2002 (age 22)
1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Gauteng Jaguars
Sesandile Owethu Ngubane
GS, GA
(2002-04-19 ) 19 April 2002 (age 22)
1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Gauteng Golden Fireballs
Refiloe Nketsa
WD,C,WA
(1995-05-15 ) 15 May 1995 (age 29)
1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Free State Crinums
Karla Pretorius (vc)
GD,WD
(1990-03-12 ) 12 March 1990 (age 34)
1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Free State Crinums
Ane Retief
GK
(1998-09-09 ) 9 September 1998 (age 26)
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Free State Crinums
Nicola Smith
GK,GD
(2000-04-25 ) 25 April 2000 (age 24)
1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Loughborough Lightning
Rolene Streutker
GA, GS
–
Melbourne Mavericks
Jeanté Strydom
GD,WD
(1996-09-30 ) 30 September 1996 (age 28)
1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Southern Steel
Nicholé Taljaard
GA,WA
(1997-05-03 ) 3 May 1997 (age 27)
1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
London Pulse
Ine-Marí Venter
GS,GA
(1995-04-21 ) 21 April 1995 (age 29)
1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Saracens Mavericks
Jamie van Wyk
GD
(2000-10-31 ) 31 October 2000 (age 24)
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Gauteng Jaguars
Head coach
Assistant coach
Notes
(c) – Captain
(cc) – Co-captain
(vc) – Vice-captain
– Injury / maternity leave
(TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Player profiles : Team website
Last updated : 26 August 2024
Captains
Most-capped internationals
New Zealand internationals
Both Irene van Dyk and Leana de Bruin played for South Africa before switching nationalities and going onto represent New Zealand .
Head coaches
Main sponsors
Honours
References
External links
Teams Tournaments
Series
Captains Head coaches
Marlene Wagner
Bennie Saayman
Louise du Plessis
Carin Strauss
Marchelle Maroun
Elize Kotze
Elsje Jordaan
Dorette Badenhorst
Norma Plummer
Jenny van Dyk
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Qualification
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Team medallists Players
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