With several South Africans still in celebratory mode for the return of domestic football, it is now the turn of staunch netball followers and fanatics to be lit up with jovial glee as the Spar Proteas will officially kick off their new year this week in a three-match Test Series.
South Africa will be hosting the Vitality Roses of England in the upcoming Spar Challenge at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, starting from Thursday until Sunday, February 1.
The last time South Africa faced England at home was last year, where the series ended evenly, with one win apiece. They also faced each other in 2023 during the Quad Series in Cape Town, including during the Netball World Cup in the same year at the same venue.
Now, coach Jenny Van Dyk has already named her 15-player squad that will take on the fourth-ranked England side, which will be oozing with confidence following their recent significant wins against the top two, Australia and New Zealand, and ultimately securing the Taini Jamison Trophy Down Under.
Van Dyk’s squad comprises familiar faces such as captain Khanyisa Chawane, Kamogelo Maseko, Owethu Ngubane, Tarle Mathe, Elmeré van der Berg, and Refiloe Nketsa.
However, several new names and personalities are not too well known at the Spar Proteas level.
The likes of Thulisile Maduna, Nozipho Ntshangase, Juanita van Tonder, Nicola Smith, Tinita van Dyk, Sanmarie Visser, Rolene Streutker, Kyla Dames, and Jamie Golob have been given a nod by Van Dyk and her technical team against a strong England side.
“We are in the process of building a team that will compete at the 2027 Netball World Cup – that is how far ahead we are looking. It is therefore important for us to create depth within the squad,” Van Dyk said after announcing her squad.
“Selecting a team is never an easy exercise because every invited player brings their best on the day, which gives us a positive selection headache. Let me also express my gratitude to the team I work with in the selection process; their unwavering support is something I do not take for granted.
“I believe we have chosen the best fifteen players for the occasion and the moment. Competing against the best in the world helps us gauge where we are and gives us the opportunity to improve and grow,” she added.
Just like the Vitality Roses, Van Dyk’s charges will also head into the Spar Challenge Netball Series on the back of a successful Africa Netball Cup campaign in Lilongwe, Malawi, where they emerged as African champions.
The new and inexperienced players in the team will be expected to raise their hands against England if they are to cement their places in the squad building up to the World Cup next year in Sydney, Australia.
Proteas final Spar Challenge 15-player squad:
Khanyisa Chawane (c), Kyla Dames, Jamie Golob (née van Wyk), Thulisile Maduna, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nozipho Ntshangase, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmeré van der Berg, Tinita van Dyk, Juanita van Tonder, and Sanmarie Visser.
