Former South Africa Men’s National Netball team captain Shiko Mokaila has been appointed Head Coach of the South African Men’s National Team on a four-year contract, following a comprehensive recruitment process concluded late in 2025. Mokaila succeeds Jabulani Vilane, who led the team during the Africa Netball Cup in December.
Mokaila’s appointment follows a meticulous process of reviewing applications and conducting interviews conducted last year. He will be assisted by Siyabonga Khuzwayo.
“Finding the right person to lead our men’s national team from a coaching perspective was not an easy task. However, we believe we have found the right person in Shiko. He is an all-rounder and has what it takes to move the team forward. He has been a player, a team captain, coached at both junior and senior level including National Male Championships, and has been heavily involved in administration — all of these roles have better prepared him for this moment.
“As men’s netball continues to grow in the country, on the continent, and globally, we felt it was appropriate to appoint a coach of Mokaila’s calibre, especially as we build towards our first-ever Men’s Netball World Cup in 2028,” said Netball South Africa President, Mami Diale.
Mokaila retired from playing netball in 2023 following the Africa Netball Cup in Botswana, ending a distinguished 15-year playing career at the highest level. His first assignment as Head Coach will see him lead the national side against the Australian Kelpies in a three-match curtain-raiser series during the SPAR Challenge, hosted at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena, where the SPAR Proteas will take on the Vitality Roses
“I am extremely happy and, at the same time, deeply humbled. I am very passionate about men’s netball, and it is an honour to lead a team that has given me so much. I am committed to giving my all — to compete, to challenge for top honours, and to win. A great deal of solid work has already been done, and my role is to continue building on the foundation laid by those who came before me,” said Mokaila.
The South African Men’s National squad will assemble during the week for trials, ahead of the announcement of a final 15-man squad before the series later this month.Diale concluded by saying: “We would like to thank coach Jabulani Vilane and his entire management team for the excellent work they have done with the team over the past years, and we wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.”
