SPAR Proteas Show Strong Fight but Fall Short to England in Vitality Nations Cup Final

London – In a valiant effort, the SPAR Proteas faced a 61-55 defeat in an exhilarating Nations Cup final at the Copper Box Arena in London, England.

With a full house of 7,000 fans, the clash was anticipated to be a close encounter, especially after South Africa edged the host nation 61-59 in their previous matchup just a week prior.

On Sunday, however, the SPAR Proteas confronted their most formidable challenge of the tournament, facing the home team for the coveted title.

The Proteas kicked off the match strongly, with Sanmarie Visser (GK) making it tough for the English goal shooters inside the circle.

South Africa maintained a lead over England throughout the first quarter, ending the session at 15-12.

However, the England Roses quickly regrouped and showcased impressive skills in the second quarter, narrowing the gap.

After South Africa missed two scoring opportunities, the hosts leveled the game before taking the lead.

With England holding a 26-23 advantage and four minutes remaining in the second quarter, South Africa needed to regain control.

Nevertheless, the Proteas struggled with multiple turnovers, allowing England to extend their lead to 30-28 by halftime.

The team recorded 16 turnovers in the first half, a notable increase compared to the 15 turnovers South Africa had against Malawi just the day before.

England continued to build their lead in the third quarter, stretching it to six points.

South Africa faced a challenging four minutes in the third quarter as center Refiloe Nketsa was sent off for dangerous play.

This development granted England a significant advantage. However, demonstrating resilience, South Africa surged ahead to score two goals, though England preserved a four-point lead.

As the quarter progressed, England steadily increased their score.

Despite being a player down, the SPAR Proteas fought determinedly, reducing the gap from six points to three by the end of the quarter, which finished at 46-43 in favor of England.

During the third-quarter break, Coach Jenny van Dyk urged her team to focus on ball control and fundamental plays as they entered the fourth quarter.

South Africa rallied, leveling the score at 46-46. England responded by pulling ahead by six points and ultimately secured the victory 61-55.

Coach Jenny van Dyk Commends SPAR Proteas’ Resilience

In her post-match discussion, Van Dyk expressed that Nketsa’s red card was a significant setback for the team.

“I’m not entirely sure what transpired there, but we will need to review what might have gone awry,” said Van Dyk.

“But there are no excuses today. I felt we played for six minutes with only six players on the court in a final; we need to address what occurred during that time.”

She commended her team for standing strong even when outmanned in the third quarter.

“Ultimately, coming back into the game with only six players,” said Van Dyk.

“I believe this truly showcased the South African character and our nation’s spirit.

“It’s about finishing strong, and from the outset, we emphasized the importance of remaining competitive, which I felt we accomplished.”

With five of the world’s top 15 netball-ranked nations hailing from Africa, she questioned whether their distinct African style of play is recognized when competing against teams from other continents.

She further stressed that if this style is not acknowledged and officiating fails to align with the African approach, they are compelled to adapt to succeed on the international stage.

Van Dyk concluded: “At the end of the day, we have no excuses. We’ve had a commendable campaign, but we’ve been away from home for an extended period, and with that said, I’m extremely proud of my players.

“I believe they exhibited tremendous character. Congratulations to England for their strong performance today.”

The SPAR Proteas are set to return home on Tuesday (OR Tambo International Airport), 11 February 2025, at 09:30 AM.

Score Breakdown

South Africa vs England:

Q1: 15 – 12

Q2: 28 – 30

Q3: 43 – 46

Q4: 55 – 61

Player of the Match: Funmi Fadoju

Player of the Series: Liv Tchine