Netball in South Africa

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Netball in South Africa
Flag of South Africa.svg
CountrySouth Africa
Governing body Netball South Africa
National team South Africa
First playedEarly 1900s

Netball in South Africa is organised by Netball South Africa. The South Africa national netball team regularly competes in international netball competitions such as the Netball World Cup, Netball at the Commonwealth Games, the Netball Quad Series and the Fast5 Netball World Series. South Africa has hosted several major international tournaments including the 2023 Netball Quad Series and 2023 Netball World Cup. The two main competitions for netball teams in South Africa are the Premier Netball League and Varsity Netball.

Contents

History

Early years

According to records from the Cape Town Teachers Training College, netball was played there by 1917. There is photographic evidence suggesting it might have been played as early as 1905. Initially netball was played in schools, not clubs. Newspaper accounts reveal that the game was occasionally played in Black South African school communities after the First World War. By the 1930s and 1940s many black teacher training colleges in and around Cape Town had netball teams. Zonnebloem College recorded a match in 1932 and Wesley College in 1933. In 1936, the Athlone Institute in Paarl held netball games against Battswood College. In 1941, a report was found of an inter-class netball tournament at Söhnge College in Worcester. The same year, St Augustine's College in Parow registered a netball team in a club competition. Media reports mention matches between these colleges and schools in villages such as Genadendal and Malmesbury. Matches were also played between colleges and staff from Somerset Hospital in Cape Town. [1]

Governing bodies

In 1951, the all-white South African Women's Netball Association was established. In 1957, their president represented South Africa at the inaugural International Netball Conference in London. In 1960, South Africa were founder members of the International Federation of Netball Associations. [1] [2] In 1992, with the end of the sporting boycott during the apartheid era, Netball South Africa became the new governing body for netball in South Africa. [3] It is affiliated to World Netball and Africa Netball. It is responsible for organising and administering the South Africa national netball team, the South Africa men's national netball team, the Diamond Challenge and the Premier Netball League, as well as numerous other leagues and competitions for junior and youth teams. Its headquarters are based in Arcadia, Pretoria. [3] [4] [5]

National teams

Women

In 1956, South Africa hosted a touring England. The tour featured a series of three Tests, with England winning all three. [2] [6] In 1959 South Africa toured England for the first time, winning 18 out of 25 matches. This included a 31–8 win over Scotland. However, they once again lost all three Test matches against England. [2] [7] South Africa made their World Netball Championships/Netball World Cup debut at the inaugural 1963 tournament and finished sixth. [8] [9] In 1967 they were bronze medalists. [10] However, between 1971 and 1991, South Africa was unable to compete because of the sporting boycott during the apartheid era. [9] [11] In 1995, South Africa returned and with an all-white team coached by Marlene Wagner, captained by Debbie Hamman and featuring Irene van Dyk and Elize Kotze, they finished as silver medalists. During the tournament they defeated both England and New Zealand before losing in the final to Australia. In 1996 Wagner, Hamman and van Dyk were all honoured by President Nelson Mandela personally. [9] [11] [12] [13] [14]

DebutTournamentBest result
1963 Netball World Cup 2nd (1995) [11]
1995 Africa Netball Cup [15] 1st
1998 Netball at the Commonwealth Games [16] 4th (1998)
2010 Fast5 Netball World Series [17] 2nd (2022) [18]
2012 Netball Quad Series 2nd (2025) [19]
2012 Netball South Africa Diamond Challenge [20] 1st

Men

The South Africa men's national netball team represents Netball South Africa in international men's netball competitions, including the Men's Africa Netball Cup and the Men's Fast5 Netball World Series. [21] [22]

International tournaments

Netball South Africa has hosted the following international tournaments.

Tournaments
Netball South Africa Diamond Challenge [20]
2012 World University Netball Championship [23]
2019 Africa Netball Cup [24] [25]
2019 South Africa England netball series [26]
2023 Netball Quad Series [27]
2023 Netball World Cup [1] [28] [29]

Venues

VenueHosted
Bellville Velodrome 2019 Africa Netball Cup, 2019 South Africa England netball series [26]
Cape Town International Convention Centre 2021 SPAR Challenge Series, [30] 2023 Netball Quad Series and 2023 Netball World Cup
Ellis Park Arena 2018 Netball Quad Series, [31] Premier Netball League final. [32]
Good Hope Centre 2012 World University Netball Championship [23]
Heartfelt Arena 2012 Diamond Challenge, [33] Premier Netball League finals. [34]
Durban International Convention Centre 2017 Netball Quad Series [35]

Competitions

Premier Netball League

The Premier Netball League [36] is the top level netball league featuring teams from South Africa. It was formed in 2014 and is organised by Netball South Africa. [37] [38] [39] Between 2014 and 2018, due to sponsorship and naming rights arrangements, the league was known as the Brutal Fruit Netball Cup. Since 2019, the league has been sponsored by Telkom and, as a result, it is widely known as the Telkom Netball League. [39] [40] In 2014, Free State Crinums were the inaugural winners. [41] [42] Gauteng Jaguars are the league's most successful team. In 2023 they won their sixth titles. The league features two divisions and uses a promotion and relegation format. The winners of the Division B Shield can gain promotion to Division A by winning a play off. [34]

Current teams

Division A
TeamCity/SuburbProvince
Eastern Cape Aloes Eastern Cape
Free State Crinums University of the Free State Free State
Gauteng Golden Fireballs Gauteng
Gauteng Jaguars University of Pretoria Gauteng
Limpopo Baobabs Polokwane Limpopo
Southern Stings Western Cape
North West Flames North West
SPAR Baby Proteas
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe
Division B
TeamCity/SuburbProvince
Eastern Cape Comets Eastern Cape
Free State Sonoblomo Free State
Kingdom Queens KwaZulu-Natal
Kingdom Stars Durban KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo Lillies Limpopo
Mpumalanga Sunbirds Mpumalanga
Northern Cape Diamonds Northern Cape
North West Tshukudu North West
Western Cape Tornadoes Western Cape

Source: [43]

Varsity Netball

Varsity Netball is a netball league featuring teams representing universities in South Africa. It was formed in 2013. [44] In 2013, UFS Kovsies won the inaugural tournament. With a team captained by Maryka Holtzhausen, they defeated NWU-Pukke 44–40 in the final. [45] [46] They won further titles in 2014, 2018, and 2021. [47] In 2024, UFS Kovsies won their fifth title, after defeating UJ Netball 58–55 in the final. [48] [49] [50] In 2017, after finishing as runners-up in 2014 and 2016, UP-Tuks won their first title. Their winning team was coached by Jenny van Dyk, captained by Shadine van der Merwe and featured Marlize de Bruin and Ine-Marí Venter. In the final, they defeated NWU-Pukke 43–41. [51] [52] [53] In 2019, UP-Tuks won their second title, this time defeating Maties 48–43 in the final. [54] [55] In 2023, UP-Tuks won their third title after defeating UJ Netball 63–61 in the final. [56] [57] [58]

Current teams

TeamUniversityHome venueTNL partner
UFS Kovsies Netball [47] University of the Free State Callie Human Hall Free State Crinums
UJ Netball [59] University of Johannesburg Gauteng Golden Fireballs [60] [61]
Madibaz Netball [62] Nelson Mandela University Madibaz Sports CentreEastern Cape Aloes [63]
NWU Netball Pukke [64] North-West University NWU Mafikeng Great Hall North West Flames
UP-Tuks Netball [65] University of Pretoria Rembrandt Hall Gauteng Jaguars
Maties Netball Stellenbosch University Coetzenburg Indoor Arena
TUT Netball Tshwane University of Technology
Wits Netball [66] University of the Witwatersrand Wits Sports Hall

Sources: [48] [67]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Netball World Cup: an untold black sport history of South Africa". theconversation.com. 25 July 2023. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "All England Netball Association: History" (PDF). sportfocus.com. 13 May 2002. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  3. 1 2 "About Netball South Africa". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  4. ↑ "Need to get in touch with us?". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Netball South Africa". netball-sa.co.za. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "1956 England Tour Party of South Africa". www.ournetballhistory.org.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Scottish Thistles Matches 1949-2024" (PDF). www.netballscotland.com. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "Women Netball I World Championship 1963". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 "Netball World Cup 2023: South Africa, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe aim high". www.bbc.co.uk. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  10. ↑ "Women Netball II World Championship 1967 Perth". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 "Birmingham 1995". International Netball Federation . Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  12. ↑ "Women Netball IX World Championship 1995". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "Women Netball Africa Games Harare (ZIM) 1995". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  14. ↑ "1995 Proteas Netball team will reunite in CT to support Spar Proteas". www.capetownetc.com. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  15. ↑ "South Africa's track record at the Africa Netball Cup". netball-sa.co.za. 8 November 2021. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "South Africa". World Netball . Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  17. ↑ "FAST5 Netball World Series Everything You Need To Know - South Africa". netball-sa.co.za. 9 November 2023. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  18. ↑ "SA FAST5 Team Gets A Podium Finish". netball-sa.co.za. 6 November 2022. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "SPAR Proteas' Brave Battle Falls Short Against England in Nations Cup Final". netball-sa.org.za. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Diamond Challenge Archive". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
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  23. 1 2 "South Africa to play Ireland in Opening Game of Inaugural WUC Netball". www.fisu.net. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
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  25. ↑ "South Africa secure 2019 Africa Netball Cup title". www.skysports.com. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  26. 1 2 "SPAR Proteas win final SPAR Challenge Netball Test". netball-sa.co.za. 1 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  27. ↑ "Netball Quad Series: England prepare to take on three of world's best sides in South Africa". www.bbc.co.uk. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
  28. ↑ "South Africa win bid to host 2023 Netball World Cup". netball-sa.co.za. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  29. ↑ "Uganda stun South Africa to secure fifth". www.teamsa.co.za. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  30. ↑ "Clean Sweep For The SPAR Proteas In The SPAR Challenge Series". netball-sa.co.za. 31 March 2021. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
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  32. ↑ "Crinums clinch fourth Telkom Netball League Championship Title". netball-sa.co.za. 19 June 2024. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  33. ↑ "Netball Diamond Challenge – Heartfelt Arena 15 – 18 August 2012". www.up.ac.za. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  34. 1 2 "Jaguars lift sixth Telkom Netball League trophy and Baobabs move to top Division". netball-sa.co.za. 1 July 2023. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  35. ↑ "Narrow Loss to English Roses Impresses Coach Plummer". gsport.co.za. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  36. ↑ "Premier Netball League Archives". netball-sa.co.za. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  37. ↑ "Brutal Fruit Netball Cup Countdown Begins". gsport.co.za. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  38. ↑ "First semi-professional competition for SA netball". www.southafrica.info. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  39. 1 2 "SA Netball goes professional with Brutal Fruit". www.sabstories.co.za. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
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  42. ↑ "Free State Clinch Final In Extra Time Thriller". brutalfruitnetballcup.co.za. 8 June 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  43. ↑ "Telkom Netball League 2025". netball-sa.co.za. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  44. ↑ "History". www.varsitysportssa.com. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  45. ↑ "Kovsies stun Pukke in final". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  46. ↑ "Holtzhausen hails Kovsies heroes". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  47. 1 2 "Netball Home". www.ufs.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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  51. ↑ "Tuks finally earn the Varsity Netball crown". www.old.varsitysportssa.com. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
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  59. ↑ "UJ Netball Club". www.uj.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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  61. ↑ "UJ netballers set for championship performances repeat in 2023 Telkom Netball League". www.uj.ac.za. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  62. ↑ "Welcome to the SPAR Madibaz Netball Club". netball.mandela.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  63. ↑ "Eastern Cape netball on the rise as Aloes clinch promotion". sport.mandela.ac.za. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  64. ↑ "Ladies Netball – Men's Netball". sport.nwu.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  65. ↑ "TuksNetball". www.up.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  66. ↑ "Netball – Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  67. ↑ "UJ Leads Varsity Netball Log as Kovsies Inflict Resounding Defeat on Defending Champs Tuks". www.varsitysportssa.com. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
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