2025: YEAR IN REVIEW: Proteas sharpen steel in relentless year of high-pressure netball Tests

South African netball spent 2025 in the pressure cooker – and by design. With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow fast approaching, Netball South Africa (NSA) mapped out one of the toughest international calendars in Proteas history.

The result was a season in which the Proteas were tested by world-class opposition, endured hard-earned growth and showed promising signs from the national pathway.

Proteas embark on brutal but necessary Test schedule

This year, the Spar Proteas faced the strongest teams in the sport: Jamaica, England, New Zealand and Australia – all ranked above South Africa and key benchmarks for a squad in transition.

The year began with a demanding away series against Jamaica, whose physicality and aerial strength continue to set the global standard. While the Sunshine Girls’ towering shooting circle tested South Africa’s defensive resolve, the Proteas showed a fighting spirit that became a hallmark of their play.

Next came the Nations Cup in England. Facing England and African rivals Uganda and Malawi in quick succession exposed the gains and gaps of the squad.

An impressive pool-stage win against England’s Roses was a standout result, even if the hosts avenged the loss in a pulsating final. The two nations will renew that rivalry in a three-Test home series next month.

The season’s sternest examination came Down Under, where the Proteas met New Zealand and top-ranked Australia on consecutive tours. The back-to-back clashes highlighted the work still required to compete consistently with the top two nations, but also strengthened emerging combinations.

“We’ve learnt a lot about our players, what players can do in certain types of situations, and which players have which types of styles,” coach Jenny van Dyk, said after the challenging series.

“So, now it’s our job to go out there, use the information we have to get our team ready and better for the next challenge. Yes, it leaves quite a lot of questions for us in how to approach and how to make sure we prepare our players better with the knowledge we have now; and more importantly, where we’re at when under tremendous pressure.”

Africa Cup defence adds late-season focus

The Proteas have now turned their attention to the defence of their Africa Netball Cup, which began this week in Lilongwe, Malawi. The continent’s dominant force got their campaign off to a flyer, with a whopping 104-25 victory over Tanzania in their opener followed by a 58-38 triumph over the hosts, and look well on track for further continental glory.

With the Commonwealth Games less than a year away – and England’s visit opening the new season – the Africa Cup offers a vital window to refine combinations, manage workloads and build confidence.

“At the previous Commonwealth Games and the previous World Cup,” Van Dyk said, "the reminder is there that we lost both those fifth and sixth play-offs against Uganda. "That’s why playing in Africa and against all the different African styles, which are very different per team, is important for us to understand and to prepare ourselves for those contests as well

U21s deliver encouragement at World Youth Cup

Another major highlight for South African netball in 2025 came from the Under-21 side, who produced a competitive campaign at the World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. Against the world’s best age-group sides, the Baby Proteas displayed both flair and fight, reaching the knockout stages and delivering standout individual performances.

The successful transition of Kyle Dames to the senior Proteas ranks is proof of the country’s growing pipeline strength, with several other players earmarked as future senior internationals.

Fireballs light up domestic scene

On the domestic front, the Golden Fireballs reclaimed their place at the summit of South African netball, winning the Telkom Netball League (TNL) for the first time in several years. Their triumph ended the recent dominance of the Jaguars and Crinums while highlighting the league’s increasing competitiveness.

Fireballs head coach Elsje Jordaan also enjoyed further success at the Spar National Netball Championships, which reached their climax at the weekend. She led the Johannesburg A team to a fourth consecutive senior title, while assistant coach Bongi Msomi completed a regional clean sweep by guiding the Johannesburg U21 A side to the defence of their crown.

Looking ahead to Glasgow

If 2025 was a year of testing their limits, 2026 promises to be one of refinement. The Proteas have endured a season of tough lessons, but also one of broadened depth, tactical evolution and strategic planning.

With the Commonwealth Games drawing closer, South Africa enter the new year with caution and optimism – increasingly aware of the gaps they need to close to become genuine medal contenders, but strengthened by the experience required to bridge them.