BABY PROTEAS SET
SPAR Baby Proteas Set for Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar
The stage is set for an exciting showcase of young netball talent as the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 gets underway in Gibraltar from 19 to 28 September.
The tournament will be played across the Tercentenary Sports Hall and the Europa Sports Complex, bringing together the world’s top youth teams for a battle of pride, skill, and national honour.
South Africa’s hopes rest on the shoulders of the SPAR Baby Proteas, who have been drawn in Pool D alongside Fiji, Malawi, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago.
It’s a competitive group, but one where South Africa will back themselves to advance to the knockout rounds if they bring their best game to court.
Netball South Africa has named a strong touring squad, blending experience with youthful energy.
The team includes Khanyisa Chawane, Nicholé Breedt, Entle Futshane, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nozipho Ntshangase, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmére van der Berg, Shadine van der Merwe, Juanita van Tonder, Jamie van Wyk, and Sanmarie Visser.
The squad will be under the guidance of head coach Jenny van Dyk, assisted by Zanele Mdodana, with Vinolia Austin as team manager. Supporting the players off the court will be physio Motheo Selebedi and doctor Lindi Mokoena, ensuring the team is fully prepared for the demands of tournament play.
The competition kicks off with the opening ceremony on 19 September, followed by round-robin pool matches from 20 to 24 September.
The quarter-finals are scheduled for 25 September, the semi-finals on the 26th, and the placement matches on the 27th, leading up to the grand final on 28 September.
The Baby Proteas go into the tournament with the weight of the nation’s expectations but also the hunger to prove themselves on the global stage.
Facing tough opponents like Malawi, who are always strong contenders in African netball, and the flair of Caribbean sides Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa will need to stay sharp from the very first whistle.
With a balanced team, solid preparation, and the unwavering spirit that South African netball is known for, the Baby Proteas are determined to fly the flag high and return home with pride.
All matches will be broadcast live on Netball Pass and YouTube, giving fans the chance to rally behind the team from back home.
As the action begins, one thing is certain: the Baby Proteas are ready to show the world that South Africa is a force to be reckoned with.