SPAR Proteas book final spot with win over Zimbabwe

SPAR Proteas have booked their final spot and are ready to defend their title after beating Zimbabwe 84-32 on Saturday.

After completing their group stage matches without tasting defeat, the SPAR Proteas were well under way to securing their place in the finals on Sunday. For that to happen, they’d need to go through Zimbabwe in the semi-final match.

South Africa was the dominant of the two nations in the first quarter of the match. A composed start from the SPAR Proteas, who settled quickly and applied early pressure. Zimbabwe responded with intensity, keeping the opening exchanges competitive but South Africa edged ahead by the end of the quarter with a strong 18-7 lead.

Coach Jenny van Dyk made just two changes to the side that beat Botswana, bringing in half-centurion Elmeré van der Berg in place of Rolene Streutker. Refiloe Nketsa was introduced at wing defence, while Jamie van Wyk replaced Sanmarie Visser at goal defence, adding experience and versatility at the back.

The SPAR Proteas continued their dominance in the second quarter – they picked up the pace exactly where they left it at the end of the first quarter. They showed sharper ball movement and sustained defensive pressure. Zimbabwe continued to compete with intent but South Africa maintained firm control heading into half-time

Van Dyk made no changes at the start of the quarter, allowing her starting combination to settle before introducing rotations later on. Tarle Mathe proved a constant thorn in the side of the Gems’ defence, feeding the shooting circle with a mix of direct passes, aerial loop balls, and flair.

At the back, the defensive pairing of Nicola Smith and Van Wyk remained composed and alert, contesting every Zimbabwean attacking effort. South Africa added 22 goals in the quarter, while Zimbabwe contributed nine, extending the SPAR Proteas’ lead at the break.

The SPAR Proteas continued to assert their dominance in the third quarter, maintaining a high work rate and clinical execution across the court. South Africa remained composed in possession and capitalised on turnovers, extending their lead through disciplined defence and sharp finishing in the shooting circle.

Van Dyk rotated her bench during the quarter, introducing fresh legs with Streutker at goal shooter, Kamogelo Maseko shifting from wing attack to goal attack, Kyla Dames at wing attack and Juanita van Tonder at goalkeeper, while ensuring the team’s structure and intensity remained intact.

South Africa added a further 20 goals in the quarter with the new shooting combination, while Zimbabwe managed seven, as the Proteas headed into the final quarter firmly in control at 60-23.

Van Dyk continued to rotate her line-up at the start of the fourth quarter, introducing Van der Berg at goal attack, Owethu Ngubane at wing attack and Dames at centre.

The SPAR Proteas closed out the match with confidence, maintaining their structure, intensity, and composure under pressure to secure an emphatic 84-32 victory over the Zimbabwe Gems. The 52-goal margin marked a new record win, surpassing the previous best of 51 goals (78-27) achieved in 2021 in Windhoek during the same tournament.

South Africa advanced to the final after a dominant campaign, recording pool-stage victories over Tanzania (104-25), Malawi (58-38) and Botswana (67-31), before overcoming Zimbabwe in the semi-final. The SPAR Proteas will now face either Uganda or hosts Malawi in Sunday’s final. Goal defence, Van Wyk was named as the Player of the Match.

Earlier in the day, the Proteas Men edged past a determined Kenya Men’s team with a 46-41 win, booking their place in the men’s final against Zimbabwe.

Fixtures – Sunday

4pm – South Africa Men v Zimbabwe Men

6pm – South Africa Women v Uganda/Malawi

SPAR Proteas women’s team for Africa Netball Cup

Khanyisa Chawane (c), Kyla Dames, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Rolene Streutker, Elmeré van der Berg, Nicola Smith, Juanita van Tonder, Jamie van Wyk, Sanmarie Visser.

Non-travelling reserves: Nicholé Breedt, Entle Futshane, Nozipho Ntshangase.

Proteas men’s team for Africa Netball Cup

Sicelo Gamede, Shane Labuschagne, Lutendo Maiwashe, Edward Manyathela, Njabulo Nekhavhambe, Romeo Nqcaku, Lwazi Nzama, Gavin Peters, Eugene Sinxezi, Kwandile Sithole, Sibongakonke Vava, Vukile Zulu.

Non-travelling reserves: Wandile Gumede, Juan van den Heever, Sandiso Zulu.