Netball South Africa has announced that the Spar Proteas will take on New Zealand’s Silver Ferns in a three-match test series later this year.
The series will be held in New Zealand and forms a key part of the Proteas’ preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
The series is scheduled to take place between 21 and 28 September.
Over the past decade, the Spar Proteas and the Silver Ferns have met 37 times, with the Proteas securing just one victory. Their last triumph over New Zealand came in 1995 when they edged out the Silver Ferns 59-57 in Birmingham.
National coach Jenny van Dyk reflected on the team’s recent international outings, saying the squad gained valuable insights during tours of Jamaica and England earlier this year.
“We learned a lot, but we know we need to step up our game,” she said.
“It’s important for us to face the top four teams as often as possible. I’m happy with our core group of players, but we’ll continue monitoring the Telkom Netball League to spot any emerging talent we may have missed.”
Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana echoed Van Dyk’s sentiments, underlining the importance of testing themselves against the best.
“If we want to reach the semifinals at the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, we must be able to beat at least one of the top four teams,” Mdodana explained.
“That’s why it’s vital for us to compete against them regularly.”
Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua also welcomed the upcoming challenge.
“We’re excited to host the South African team for the Taini Jamison Trophy. These matches will be an excellent opportunity for us to test our combinations and build squad depth as we continue our preparations,” Taurua said.
