Coach Jenny van Dyk Sees Positives in 3-Nil Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series Loss to Jamaica

Coach Jenny van Dyk brought on Goal Attack Kamogelo Maseko in the first quarter to settle the South African attack. Jamaica wrapped up the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against the Spar Proteas with a convincing 58-47 victory for a 3-nil series clean sweep at the National Indoor Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday evening, 25 January, 2025 (early Sunday morning CAT). All Photos: Collin Reid

Jamaica wrapped up the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against the Spar Proteas with a convincing 58-47 victory for a 3-nil series clean sweep at the National Indoor Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday evening, 25 January, 2025 (early Sunday morning CAT).

South Africa got off to a poor start in the match, which was the third in the series. The Proteas did not score a goal until the sixth minute, at which point they were 6-1 down, and after eight minutes, trailed 11-1. 

Both shooters goal shooter Ine-Marí Venter and goal attack Nicholé Breedt were misfiring, and SA coach Jenny van Dyk brought goal defence Kamogelo Maseko on, making an immediate difference, and the South Africans managed to reduce the deficit to five goals by the end of the quarter.

Jamaica dominated the second quarter, although the South Africans fought back hard.  The Sunshine Girls stretched their lead to 10 goals at least three times during the quarter, and by halftime, had stretched their advantage to a 29-19 lead.

The third quarter was closer, with Jamaica winning it by 14 goals to 13, (43-32) but the damage had been done. At one stage, Jamaica opened up a 14-goal lead, and with the increased competition for possession, both sides became physical.

With Jamaica giving their full bench a run, SA managed to draw the final quarter 15-all, although Jamaica were as much as 16 goals ahead at one stage.

Despite the series loss, coach Van Dyk believes the future for the Spar Proteas is bright, saying that she was proud of the way the team had fought their way back into the match after trailing 11-1.

“Coming back from that is not an easy task, but it should never have happened in the first place.”

Spar Proteas Coach Jenny van Dyk

“We are beginning to build something special, and I think the Spar Proteas will be a force to be reckoned with in the next couple of years,” she said.

“We are looking towards the Netball World Cup in 2027, but the next big thing is the Commonwealth Games in 14 months. We are aiming for a place in the semifinals, and to do that, we must beat one of the Big Four, so it’s important that we play these teams,” said Van Dyk.

“We have learned so much about our players and their potential in this series.  The amount of experience our young players have gained from playing in this very tough series has been invaluable.”

Proteas captain Khanyisa Chawane said it had been an amazing series. “We got off to a very good start, winning the African Championship, and we needed a challenge.”

“The series was a learning curve for each one of us, as well as for the team. “I think we showed a lot of character and grit, and we also confirmed our love for the game of netball.”

Spar Proteas captain Khanyisa Chawane

The South African internationals move on to the United Kingdom next week for the Nations Cup against England, Uganda, and Malawi. Goal attack Nicola Smith, who sustained a wrist injury in the first match against Jamaica, will be replaced by Western Cape-based Syntiche Kabuya, a former member of the U21 national women’s team.

The Baby Proteas had an impressive clean sweep in their series against Jamaica Under-21, which is a great preparation for the Netball Youth World Cup in Gibraltar in September and gives hope for the future.

“We learnt a lot of lessons from the series, I am very pleased with the way the girls listened to instructions and followed them.” 

Spar Baby Proteas Head Coach Precious Mthembu

Jamaica Wins the 2025 Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series 3-Nil

Saturday, 18 January

Jamaica U21 31 – 61 SA U21
Jamaica 55 – 47 South Africa

Wednesday, 22 January  

Jamaica U21 32 – 49 SA U21
Jamaica 59 – 47 South Africa

Saturday, 25 January

Jamaica U21 33 – 47 SA U21
Jamaica 58 – 47 South Africa

Spar Proteas Squad Starting 7 vs Jamaica for the First Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series Test, on Saturday, 25 January, 2025

GS Ine-Marí Venter
GA Nicholé Breedt
WA Khanyisa Chawane (C)
C Refiloe Nketsa
WD Jeanté Strydom
GD Jamie van Wyk
GK Sanmarie Visser

Substitutes

Kamogelo Maseko
Tarle Mathe
Owethu Ngubane
Ané Retief
Elmeré van der Berg

Technical Team

Head Coach – Jenny van Dyk
Assistant Coach – Zanele Mdodana
Team Manager – Vinolia Austin
Physiotherapist – Fikile Phasha


Original Content: Netball SA, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Coach Jenny van Dyk brought on Goal Attack Kamogelo Maseko in the first quarter to settle the South African attack. Jamaica wrapped up the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against the Spar Proteas with a convincing 58-47 victory for a 3-nil series clean sweep at the National Indoor Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday evening, 25 January, 2025 (early Sunday morning CAT). All Photos: Collin Reid

Photo 2 Caption: Spar Proteas Centre Refiloe Nketsa on the attack against Jamaica in the third test of the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series

Photo 3 Caption: Goal shooter Elmeré van der Berg takes to the air to control the ball. The SA attack managed to limit the damage after a poor start.

Photo 4 Caption: Spar Proteas Goalkeeper Sanmarie Visser prepares to pass the ball. Jamaica completed a 3-nil series win with their series-concluding victory on Saturday.

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