Jenny van Dyk Backs Rotated Spar Proteas Against Uganda for Africa Cup Final
The Spar Proteas completed a perfect Pool 1 campaign at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, following Tuesday’s 72-32 victory over Botswana with a 55-33 win over Namibia at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
South Africa’s win over Botswana, confirmed through the tournament’s official results service after a day of limited match coverage, made it three from three and returned the defending champions to the top of Pool 1.
Against Namibia, head coach Jenny van Dyk tinkered slightly with her starting seven from the Botswana match. South Africa was dominant in the first quarter and piled the pressure on neighbours Namibia, the Spar Proteas leading 16-8 at the first break.
With the second quarter underway, it was the Spar Proteas in the driving seat, controlling the tempo of the game. Neither team made changes coming into the second quarter and the Spar Proteas continued to show tactical discipline and dominance, enjoying a 33-16 lead heading into half-time.
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Van Dyk made wholesale changes going into the championship quarter, bringing in fresh legs from the likes of Owethu Ngubane, Nozipho Ntshangase and Tinita van Dyk. Namibia came out strong in the third quarter, challenging for every ball on court, and the Debmarine Desert Jewels won the quarter 10-8, with the overall score still favouring the Spar Proteas at 41-26.
South Africa responded in the final quarter, Van Dyk rotating a few players and introducing Nonsikelelo Mazibuko in the shooting circle, and she took her chances to lead the team to victory, the Spar Proteas closing out the match 55-33.
“We are really impressed how quickly this team came together within this championship.”
Spar Proteas Head Coach, Jenny van Dyk
Van Dyk noted that every player has featured in every match of the campaign, with the rotation serving a clear purpose. “It’s important for us to give these players experience and exposure and it’s also important for us to test and see how different combinations play out and what different players bring to the game,” she said.
Netball South Africa’s post-match communication had South Africa facing Malawi in the first semi-final on Thursday, 24 September 2026 at 13h00 SAST. Hours later, Africa Netball moved to restructure the tournament’s climax, issuing the following statement:
The restructure means South Africa advance directly to the Africa Cup Final against fellow unbeaten side Uganda, with resulting changes to Thursday’s schedule, while the pools’ second- and third-placed teams cross over to decide Africa’s two remaining places at the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.
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“We won’t be playing against Malawi today in the semi-finals anymore, but we’ve got our work cut out for the Uganda game on Saturday,” said Van Dyk.
“Luckily, the players get to rest a little bit now and we also get a little bit more time with them to train together and to really solidify our combinations and plans that we set out for the finals.”
Four wins from four, and the continental title is now one match away.
Africa Cup Final at the Moi International Sports Centre on Saturday 26 September 2026
South Africa vs. Uganda
The 2026 Africa Netball Cup and Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier Africa at the Moi International Sports Centre, from Saturday 19 September to Saturday 26 September 2026
Saturday 19 September 2026
Tanzania 22-90 South Africa (Pool 1)
Malawi 72-38 Zambia (Pool 2)
Botswana 39-57 Zimbabwe (Pool 1)
Kenya 61-40 Nigeria (Pool 2)
Sunday 20 September 2026
Namibia 54-32 Botswana (Pool 1)
Malawi 55-47 Kenya (Pool 2)
South Africa 58-41 Zimbabwe (Pool 1)
Nigeria 30-68 Uganda (Pool 2)
Monday 21 September 2026
Zambia 40-59 Uganda (Pool 2)
Zimbabwe 31-47 Namibia (Pool 1)
Malawi 82-22 Nigeria (Pool 2)
Botswana 59-35 Tanzania (Pool 1)
Tuesday 22 September 2026
Namibia 62-36 Tanzania (Pool 1)
Nigeria 44-63 Zambia (Pool 2)
South Africa 72-32 Botswana (Pool 1)
Kenya 42-62 Uganda (Pool 2)
Wednesday 23 September 2026
Uganda 54-49 Malawi (Pool 2)
Tanzania 28-73 Zimbabwe (Pool 1)
Zambia 50-54 Kenya (Pool 2)
Namibia 33-55 South Africa (Pool 1)
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Karla Victor pictured in possession as the Spar Proteas completed a perfect Pool 1 campaign at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, following Tuesday’s 72-32 victory over Botswana with a 55-33 win over the Debmarine Desert Jewels of Namibia, before Africa Netball confirmed that pool winners South Africa and Uganda will contest the Africa Cup Final, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. All Photos: Netball South Africa
Graphic 1 ALT Text: Official Africa Netball statement graphic on an orange and pink background, headed Official Statement: Africa Netball World Cup Qualifiers and Africa Cup Format, explaining that countries already qualified for the World Cup will no longer be accommodated in the same tournament as the qualifiers, that the combined format was adopted with the best intentions to address member countries’ financial challenges, and that it has proved impractical and caused confusion, with the Africa Netball logo at the top.
Graphic 1 ALT Text: Second page of the official Africa Netball statement on an orange and pink background, setting out that the teams ranked second and third in their pools will cross over to determine the World Cup qualifying positions, that pool leaders South Africa and Uganda will contest the Africa Cup Final, that the winners of the qualifier semi-finals will play for third place, and closing with thanks to member countries, athletes, officials and fans, signed Acting President, Africa Netball.
Crédito: Link de origem