The Spar Proteas are preparing for a tough assignment against Jamaica but coach Jenny van Dyk says matches like these can only make her team a better side.
The South African’s first assignment of the year will be the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against the island nation from 18 to 25 January, at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.
The visitors know it will not be easy going against the Jamaicans, who are ranked third in the world behind the powerhouses New Zealand and Australia, as South Africa have found wins against the Jamaicans hard to come by.
Their most recent victory came in 2019 at the Netball World Cup when South Africa pulled off a shock result. The two teams are meeting for the first time in Jamaica since 2012.


Van Dyk named a strong team to take on the Jamaicans, with the experienced Karla Pretorius the noticeable absentee, but the Spar Proteas go into the match on a positive note though, having secured a series win over Southern African neighbours, Namibia.
“(It’s) very different, we also focus a lot on what we need to do on the court, the systems and structures we want to run, because we want to play our style, and do that well.
Spar Proteas Head Coach, Jenny van Dyk
“Playing against the Jamaicans is not quite the same as it used to be back in the day, because most of the Jamaican players are currently playing in the Suncorp Netball League, especially the starting seven players.”
“There are a lot of changes in the way that they approach the game now and how they used to play their games, so we have been doing quite a lot of work, just understanding exactly and learning the Caribbean way of netball, but that’s a little bit of a mixture a Caribbean-Aussie style, if I can say it like that.
“It’s going to be tough, this is a very experienced side they are a formidable side and they are a strong unit but we like tough and we need these tough matches and we need to be challenged to become the best one day.”
Captain Khanyisa Chawane says her team are ready to face what the Jamaicans will bring to the court.
“They always say that if you want to be a good netball player, you need to be adaptable, and that is what we are trying to do as a team. Every side that we face, we try to adapt to their style, but also still keep our uniqueness.”
Spar Proteas Captain, Khanyisa Chawane
“It is going to be a little bit hard but we are looking forward (to it), and our coaches have a plan – it’s just for us to buy in and make sure that we execute everything that they put out for us,” says Chawane. “Everything is looking good and has been promising, so it’s just for us to go out on court and do that.”


Chawane is one of the most experienced players in the team, and knows that sticking to the game-plan will be of utmost importance if they want to succeed.
“I am looking forward to these games and, as I have mentioned before, we don’t get many opportunities to play against Jamaica, we usually play against England or Australia. Jamaica is going to be a different side, it’s going to require us to do things differently than we usually do and I am looking forward to that.”
“They are very athletic, fit, and very quick as well, that’s the style of play that we also have, so we are going to be challenged. All the experience that I have gained, I am looking forward to putting that out on the court, but also learning, and just being pushed to a different level.”
Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series Fixtures (Jamaica times)
Saturday, 18 January
6:00 pm: Jamaica Sunshine Girls vs South Africa (1am CAT Sunday 19 Jan)
Wednesday, 22 January
7:00 pm: Jamaica Sunshine Girls vs South Africa (2am CAT Thursday 26 Jan)
Saturday, 25 January
6:00 pm: Jamaica Sunshine Girls vs South Africa (1am CAT Sunday 26 Jan)
Spar Proteas Squad for the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against Jamaica from 18 to 25 January, 2025
Defenders
Boitumelo Mahloko
Sanmarie Visser*
Ane Retief
Nicola Smith
Jamie van Wyk
Mid-Court
Kamogelo Maseko
Tarle Mathe
Khanyisa Chawane (C)
Refiloe Nketsa
Jeante Strydom
Shooters
Nichole Breedt
Rolene Streutker
Elmerè van der Berg
Ine-Mari Venter
Owethu Ngubane
Technical Team
Jennifer van Dyk (Head Coach)
Zanele Mdodana (Assistant Coach)
Vinolia Austin (Team Manager)
Fikile Phasha (Physiotherapist)
Werner Botha (Sports Scientist)
Talja Venter (Analyst)
Nthati Chabana (Massage Therapist)
Main Photo Caption: Spar Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk has welcomed the challenge that world no. 3 Jamaica will pose her team in the upcoming Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series, saying that the South African’s are ready for the 3-Test series starting in Kingston on Saturday. All Photos: Netball South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Coach Van Dyk notes an improvement in the Jamaicans’ play, citing the experience added by their participation in the Suncorp Netball League.
Photo 3 Caption: The visitors anticipate a tough challenge against the Jamaicans, who are ranked third in the world behind the powerhouses New Zealand and Australia.
Photo 4 Caption: Captain KC Chawane says: “All the experience that I have gained, I am looking forward to putting that out on the court.”
Photo 5 Caption: SA have found wins against the Jamaicans hard to come by, their most recent victory at the 2019 Netball World Cup when the Spar Proteas pulled off an upset win.