SPAR Proteas make history as they become African Champions for the fifth time

Coach Jenny van Dyk and her charges retained their status as African Champions with a 56-34 win over Uganda on Sunday in Lilongwe, Malawi. The SPAR Proteas have a set a new record as five-time champions of the continental showpiece.

South Africa came into this match beaming with pride and confidence as they are yet to taste defeat in this tournament.

South Africa got off the mark quicker and commanded the pace of the game. Van Dyk started with a slightly different combination from the one that started their semi-final match.

A notable omission of the day in the line-up was that of captain Khanyisa Chawane, Elmere van der Berg captained the team in her absence. SPAR Proteas continued to exert pressure on their counterparts and at the end of the first quarter, it was South Africa who led 16-7.

With no change to the starting seven after first quarter, SPAR Proteas continued where they left off at 15 minutes – they piled the pressure on Uganda as they marched towards the finish line. South Africa’s defence was very disciplined as they allowed Uganda to only score nine goals while conceding 11. At the end of the first half, the SPAR Proteas led 27-16.

With Refiloe Nketsa already on a caution, Van Dyk moved quickly to save her and brought Sanmarie Visser in Goal Defence while moving Jamie van Wyk to Wing Defence to replace Nketsa. SPAR Proteas took the championship quarter 17-10 and taking the overall score to 44-26.

South Africa’s tactical discipline throughout the game carried them and delivered a championship trophy – at the end of the hour, it was the SPAR Proteas who came out on tops and won the match 56-34 to be crowned the Champions of Africa for a record breaking fifth time.

“Uganda will make you work on that netball court; we knew that we needed to have a very solid game plan and come in very strong. From the onset, we understood that this game would be won in the circle, we needed to figure out how we were going to do that. I must thank Uganda for a great game of netball and for such a great final, well done to them as well for playing the way they did. As a team, we have our own set target and that is to score 60, we fell short today but what matters is that we are champions,” said a delighted Van Dyk.

Meanwhile earlier on the day, the South Africa Male team also retained their title as African Champions after beating Zimbabwe 40-29. Coach Jabulani Vilane's men made light work of their assignment as they clinched the title for the second time in three years.

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.