Spar Proteas to Ramp Up Commonwealth Games Preps with 3-Test Tour against World No.2 New Zealand
The Spar Proteas are scheduled to play a three-Test series against the Silver Ferns in New Zealand in September later this year, according to an announcement by Netball South Africa in Pretoria on Monday, 14 April, 2025.
This series is part of their preparations for the Commonwealth Games next year in Glasgow and the Sydney Netball World Cup in 2027.
The Silver Ferns, currently ranked second in the world, will compete with the fifth-ranked South Africans for the Taini Jamison Trophy, and the matches will take place in Auckland, Napier and Invercargill, on September 21, 24 & 28.
National coach Jenny van Dyk expressed her excitement about the upcoming tour. “We learned so much during our tour of Jamaica and England earlier this year, and we need to step up our game. It is important for us to play against the top four teams as often as possible,” she said.
“I am happy with our core group of players, but we will keep an eye on the Telkom Netball League to identify any talent that we may have overlooked.”
Spar Proteas Head Coach, Jenny van Dyk
Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana emphasised the importance of competing against top teams to assess the team’s strength.
“If we want to reach the semifinals in the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, we need to beat at least one of the top four teams,” said Mdodana. “Therefore, it’s crucial for us to play these teams consistently and frequently.”
The head coach of New Zealand also looks forward to the series.
“We’re excited to host the South African team for the Taini Jamison Trophy, and these matches will serve as a great test for us as we continue to build our squad depth and combinations.”
Silver Ferns Head Coach, Dame Noeline Taurua
Over the past ten years, the Proteas and the Silver Ferns have faced each other 37 times, with South Africa winning only one match. The highest score the Spar Proteas achieved against New Zealand was 60 points in 2019, when they lost 62-60. The average score in matches between the two teams is 66-38 in favour of the Silver Ferns.
In 1995, South Africa managed to defeat New Zealand 59-57 in Birmingham and subsequently played Australia in the final of the Netball World Cup.
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The teams drew 48-48 in the most recent encounter between the Proteas and Ferns at the 2023 Netball World Cape in Cape Town, South Africa.
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: South Africa and New Zealand are pictured during their last encounter at the 2023 Netball World Cup staged in Cape Town, which ended in a thrilling 48-48 draw. Netball South Africa has announced a Taini Jamison Trophy three-Test international netball series against the Silver Ferns in September which will see the Spar Proteas travel to New Zealand for the September tour. File Photo: World Netball/Gallo Images
Photo 2 Caption: Silver Ferns Head Coach, Dame Noeline Taurua said she is excited to be hosting the Spar Proteas for the Taini Jamison Trophy three-Test international netball series in New Zealand in September. Photo: Michael Bradley photography
Photo 3 Caption: Spar Proteas Head Coach, Jenny van Dyk said she was looking forward to touring New Zealand in September and testing her charges against the Silver Ferns. South Africa will travel to New Zealand for the Taini Jamison Trophy 3 test international netball series against the Silver Ferns in September. Photo: Reg Caldecott
Crédito: Link de origem