The Spar Netball Proteas went down 55-47 to Jamaica in a hard-fought first Test in the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series, in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday, 18 January, 2025.
“The last time we played Jamaica, we lost by 18 points – this time we lost by eight,” said an undeterred national coach Jenny van Dyk. “There is something to work on, and next time we will know what to expect,” said Van Dyk after the match.
The two teams traded goal for goal in the closely-contested first quarter, which ended 12-all.
During the second quarter, the South African goalkeeper Nicola Smith fell heavily and had to leave the court with an arm injury, and then her replacement Ané Retief was sent off for two minutes, for a dangerous play foul.
The Sunshine Girls took advantage of the situation and won the quarter by 16 goals to 11.


Jamaica maintained momentum and made the most of the situation in the third quarter, and on two occasions stretched their lead to 10 points, but the Spar Proteas fought back hard to reduce the damage to a seven- goals margin at 42-35.
In the final quarter, the Sunshine Girls surged ahead to take a 12-point lead, but Captain Khanyisa Chawane’s team fought to the end, and some superb shooting by Elmeré van den Berg, supported by in-form goal attack Kamogelo Maseko, helped the Spar Proteas to finish the match just eight goals behind.


South Africa last toured Jamaica in 2012, and Van Dyk said she thought they had done well to cope with the atmosphere in the packed National Indoor Stadium.
“We theoretically know how they play, but there is nothing like experiencing it. The noise and the vibe are something special, but it can put you off your game!”
Head Coach Jenny van Dyk
“I think there is a lot we can take out of this match, and we know what we need to work,” said Van Dyk. “The second quarter was very expensive for us, with a player injured and another sent off, but we should be able to cope with setbacks like that.”

“We had a plan and a strategy, but we were thrown a curve ball in the second quarter,” said Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana.
“That’s where we lost the match, because all the other quarters were very close. Losing Nicola changed the momentum of the game.”
Assistant Coach Zanele Mdodana
In the curtain raiser, the Spar Baby Proteas impressed in beating Jamaica Under-21 by 61 goals to 31.
The Spar Proteas’ next match is on Thursday, 23 January (02h00 CAT time), and the final test on Sunday 26 January (01h00 CAT time), with all matches live on SuperSport Variety 4 DStv Channel 209.
Fixtures and Results for the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series (Jamaica and CAT times)
Saturday, 18 January
Jamaica U21 31 – 61 Spar Baby Proteas
Jamaica 55 – 47 South Africa
Wednesday, 22 January
3:00 p.m: Jamaica U-21 vs U-21 South Africa U-21 (10pm, CAT)
7:00 p.m: Jamaica vs South Africa (2am CAT, Thursday 23 Jan)
Saturday, 25 January
3:00 p.m: Jamaica U-21 vs U-21 South Africa U-21 (10pm, CAT)
6:00 p.m: Jamaica vs South Africa (1am CAT, Thursday 26 Jan)
Spar Proteas Squad Starting 7 vs Jamaica for the First Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series Test, on 18 January, 2025
GS Rolene Streutker
GA Kamogelo Maseko
WA Khanyisa Chawane (C)
C Refiloe Nketsa
WD Jeanté Strydom
GD Jamie van Wyk
GK Nicola Smith
Substitutes
Nicholé Breedt
Boitumelo Mahloko
Tarle Mathe
Ané Retief
Elmeré van der Berg
Technical Team
Head Coach – Jenny van Dyk
Assistant Coach – Zanele Mdodana
Team Manager – Vinolia Austin
Physiotherapist – Fikile Phasha
Main Photo Caption: The Spar Netball Proteas went down 55-47 to Jamaica in a hard-fought first Test in the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series, in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday, 18 January, 2025. All Photos: Collin Reid
Photo 2 Caption: Spar Proteas Goal Attack Kamogelo Maseko controls the ball in the circle in the first international netball test.
Photo 3 Caption: Goal Shooter Rolene Streutker aims for goal as the South Africans work to limit the hosts’ advantage.
Photo 4 Caption: Proteas Centre Refiloe Nketsa pictured contesting possession of the ball with Jamaica’s Latanya Wilson, their faces giving an indication of the intensity of the battle for supremacy.