JOHANNESBURG – The SPAR Proteas have revealed their 15-player squad for next week’s highly anticipated three-match test series against England’s Vitality Roses in Johannesburg, following an intensive weekend training camp that saw fierce competition for places.
Head Coach Jenny van Dyk put her players through rigorous assessments during the two-day camp in Johannesburg, which began Friday, before making the difficult final selections for what promises to be a crucial series in the team’s World Cup preparation journey.
“We are in the process of building a team that will compete at the World Cup — that is how far ahead we are looking,” van Dyk explained. “It is therefore important for us to create depth within the squad. Selecting a team is never an easy exercise because every invited player brings their best on the day, which gives us a positive selection headache.”
The series carries significant weight as the SPAR Proteas’ final international competition before the Commonwealth Games, adding extra pressure to perform against one of the world’s top-ranked teams.
“The series against the Vitality Roses is our last international competition before the Commonwealth Games, so we need to make it count,” van Dyk emphasized. “It will allow us to refine what is working and address areas where we are lacking.”
South Africa enters the series with confidence after their triumphant Africa Netball Cup campaign in Lilongwe, where they claimed the African championship title. This momentum will be crucial as they face England in what promises to be an evenly matched contest.
The historical context adds intrigue to the upcoming battles, with the last meeting between these netball powerhouses in 2025 ending in a drawn series, each team claiming one victory.
Netball South Africa President Mami Diale expressed full backing for the coaching team’s selections and emphasized the importance of strong home performances.
“As Netball South Africa, we have given Coach Jenny all the support she needs in preparing the team for this series,” Diale stated. “It is important for the SPAR Proteas to perform well against the best in the world, especially with the backing of home crowds. We believe the coaching staff and selectors have chosen the best possible team, and we rally behind them with confidence that they will rise to the challenge against the Vitality Roses.”
Van Dyk also acknowledged her support team’s crucial role in the selection process, saying: “Let me also express my gratitude to the team I work with in the selection process; their unwavering support is something I do not take for granted. I believe we have chosen the best fifteen players for the occasion and the moment.”
The 2026 SPAR Challenge Netball Series will unfold at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena, with matches scheduled for January 29, 31, and February 1. Fans across the country can catch all the action live on SuperSport as the SPAR Proteas look to gain valuable experience against world-class opposition.
Selected SPAR Proteas Squad:
Khanyisa Chawane (captain), Kyla Dames, Jamie Golob (née van Wyk), Thulisile Maduna, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nozipho Ntshangase, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmeré van der Berg, Tinita van Dyk, Juanita van Tonder, and Sanmarie Visser.
With World Cup ambitions driving their preparation and home advantage on their side, the SPAR Proteas will be looking to make a statement against the Vitality Roses in what could prove to be a defining moment in their international journey.
