Pretoria, South Africa: The SPAR Proteas start off the year with a stern challenge as they travel to the Caribbean for the three-test Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against Jamaica. Netball South Africa has named the squad that will do battle in Kingston. The series will take place at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on January 18, 22 and 25, 2025.
Fresh from guiding the Mighty Proteas to African Netball Cup glory in December, captain Khanyisa Chawane will once again lead the team. Chawane was named player of the tournament and will be eager to continue from where she left off in Namibia. The dynamic Elmerè van der Berg, named Best Shooter in Namibia, also makes the 15-member squad.
Jamaica, currently ranked third in the world behind Australia and New Zealand, will provide a formidable opponent.
The SPAR Proteas have a historical record of 18 matches against the Sunshine Girls, with only three victories. Their most significant win came at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, where they narrowly edged Jamaica 55-52 to secure a place in the semifinals.
EXCITING DEVELOPMENT
In an exciting development, the SPAR Baby Proteas (South Africa’s under-21 team) will also travel to Jamaica to play a friendly series against their Jamaican counterparts during the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series. This valuable experience will contribute to their preparation for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup, scheduled for September in Gibraltar.
Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane believes the teams will gain valuable international experience in Jamaica, as this trip serves as crucial preparation for the Under-21 World Cup in Gibraltar.
“This experience will benefit the Proteas and lay the foundation ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and prepare the babies for the World Cup,” Molokwane said.
Meanwhile, SPAR Baby Proteas coach Precious Mthembu expressed gratitude for the chance to compete against top-tier teams.
“The main objective of their series is for their SPAR Baby Proteas to start getting experience, and hopefully, all the players will return with many lessons learnt.
“We’re just grateful for the opportunity. We want to ensure that we do whatever it takes to prepare mentally, physically and emotionally since it is quite a young team.”
It will be Mthembu’s first international assignment as head coach and she is confident she will guide the team to success.
SPAR PROTEAS SQUAD
Defenders: Boitumelo Mahloko, Sanmarie Visser, Ane Retief,
Nicola Smith, Jamie van Wyk
Mid-Court: Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Khanyisa Chawane,
Refiloe Nketsa, Jeante Strydom
Shooter: Nichole Breedt, Rolene Streutker, Elmerè van der Berg, Ine-Mari Venter, Owethu Ngubane
Technical team: Jennifer van Dyk (head coach), Zanele Mdodana (assistant coach), Vinolia Austin (team manager), Fikile Phasha (physiotherapist), Werner Botha (sports scientist), Talja Venter (analyst), Nthati Chabana (massage therapist)
SPAR BABY PROTEAS SQUAD
Mbali Diphoko, Michelle van der Merwe, Giada Prinsloo, Lisa Ingwersen, Thato Legodi, Jade Atkins, Karla Victor, Kyla Dames, Noncubeko Mjaliswa, Phophi Nematangari, Kiara van Eeden, Zahrah Noah, Ametisse Bandu, Luca Keun, Zionne Grobler
Technical team: Precious Mthembu (head coach), Phumza Maweni (assistant coach), Denise Bothma (team manager), Nontsikelelo Xaba (Physio)
MARGARET BECKFORD SUNSHINE SERIES FIXTURES
Please note the time details below are in Jamaica time.
Saturday, 18 January
3:00 p.m: Jamaica U-21 vs U-21 South Africa U-21
6:00 p.m: Jamaica Sunshine Girls vs South Africa
Wednesday, 22 January
3:00 p.m: Jamaica U-21 vs U-21 South Africa U-21
7:00 p.m: Jamaica Sunshine Girls vs South Africa
Saturday, 25 January
3:00 p.m: Jamaica U-21 vs U-21 South Africa U-21
6:00 p.m: Jamaica Sunshine Girls vs South Africa