A spirited Spar Proteas team went down 59-47 to Jamaica in the second match in the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series at the National Indoor Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, early Thursday morning, 23 January, 2025.
After their series opening win on Saturday, Jamaica’s world no. 3 Sunshine Girls have clinched the three-Test series against fifth-ranked South Africa, with the series concluding Test scheduled for Saturday evening, early Sunday morning CAT.
For a time in the first quarter, the African champions held a narrow two-goal lead over Jamaica, but midway through the quarter, the Sunshine Girls, possibly buoyed by the arrival of sprinting legend Asafa Powell, stepped up a gear and won the quarter by 18 goals to 13.


In the second quarter, South Africa fought hard, but Jamaica kept the ball moving into their circle. The Proteas maintained good discipline but poor communication among the players cost them dearly, as Jamaica increased their lead, winning the second quarter by eight goals (34-26).
The Sunshine Girls stepped up again in the third quarter and led by 15 goals at one stage – the highest margin in the series so far. The SA defenders, debutante Sanmarie Visser at goal defence and goalkeeper Ané Retief made life difficult for the Jamaican shooters, but to no avail, as Jamaica won the quarter by 14 goals (50-36).


Jamaica used speed and high balls to get the ball into their own circle, while the Jamaican defence was very effective against the South African circle.
The hosting nation made several changes for the final quarter, which South Africa won by 12 goals to nine, and the final score of 59-47 did not reflect how well the Proteas played. Goal attack Kamogelo Maseko had an outstanding game, as did captain and wing attack Khanyisa Chawane, but too many unforced errors cost the young and inexperienced South Africans the match.


Coach Jenny van Dyk said she was disappointed but not disheartened. “What a great performance by the Sunshine Girls. They were just so clinical, not leaving anything to chance. We are learning what it is like to play a world-class team,” she said.
“There are so many lessons to be taken out of this game, and I am very pleased that we were able to win the final quarter.”
Spar Proteas Coach Jenny van Dyk
Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana said she thought the Proteas had been better than they had been in the first Test on Saturday. “I thought they were energised and switched on.”
“We are giving our players the opportunity to understand what it is to play against the top teams, and the more we play these guys, the better we will be. We need to learn how to withstand pressure, both physically and mentally.”
Assistant Coach Zanele Mdodana
Earlier, in a promising sign for the future, the Spar Baby Proteas beat Jamaica Under-21 by 49 goals to 32.


The third and final Test will be played on Saturday evening 25 January 2025 (01h00 on Sunday morning CAT), and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4, DSTV channel 209.
Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series Results and Fixtures (Jamaica and CAT Times)
Saturday, 18 January
Jamaica U21 31 – 61 SA U21
Jamaica 55 – 47 South Africa
Wednesday, 22 January
3:00 p.m: Jamaica U21 32 – 49 SA U21
7:00 p.m: Jamaica 59 – 47 South Africa
Saturday, 25 January
3:00 p.m: Jamaica U21 vs SA U21 (10pm, CAT)
6:00 p.m: Jamaica vs South Africa (1am CAT, Sunday 26 Jan)
Spar Proteas Squad Starting 7 vs Jamaica for the Second Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series Test, on 23 January, 2025
GS Rolene Streutker
GA Kamogelo Maseko
WA Khanyisa Chawane (C)
C Refiloe Nketsa
WD Jamie van Wyk
GD Sanmarie Visser
GK Ané Retief
Substitutes
Nicholé Breedt
Boitumelo Mahloko
Tarle Mathe
Jeanté Strydom
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: Spar Proteas Goal Shooter, Rolene Streutker shoots for goal in the second test. The spirited Spar Proteas went down 59-47 to Jamaica in the second match in the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series at the National Indoor Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, early Thursday morning, 23 January, 2025. All Photos: Collin Reid
Photo 2 Caption: SA Captain Khanyisa Chawane controls the ball during the second Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series Test against Jamaica
Photo 3 Caption: Debutant Proteas Goal Defence Sanmarie Visser attempts to block the goal by Jamaican Goal Attack Shanice Beckford
Photo 4 Caption: Goal Attack Kamogelo Maseko controls the ball under pressure from Jamaica’s Goalkeeper and Captain, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
Photo 5 Caption: Goalkeeper Ané Retief, fights for possession of the ball during the second test won by Jamaica, who took an unassailable 2-nil lead in the 3-Test series.