Australia denied the Spar Baby Proteas the chance to reach the final of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, winning 67–36 to book their place against New Zealand in the semi-finals at the Europa Sports Complex in Gibraltar, Europe, on Friday, 26 September 2025.
The Baby Proteas will now face England in the bronze medal play-off on Sunday.
South Africa entered the semi-final as underdogs in the second semi-final match of the day, despite having recorded a superior goal difference during the group stages, knowing that they would need to deliver their very best performance to set up a date with New Zealand in the final.
“Tough game, tough loss against Australia – we really tested ourselves, and learnt a lot. This gave us an opportunity to gauge ourselves and see where we are.”
Spar Baby Proteas Head Coach, Precious Mthembu
Australia, however, were determined not to surrender their opportunity to reach the final and go one better than in 2017. They were first off the mark, applying relentless pressure on the Baby Proteas, who were forced out of their usual rhythm into long passes that favoured the Aussies. At the end of the first quarter, Australia led 19–9.
The second quarter unfolded much the same way, with Australia continuing to press hard. The Baby Proteas began to settle midway through the quarter, but it was too late to halt Australia’s momentum, as South Africa were restricted to just eight goals in reply to 15.
Coach Precious Mthembu introduced changes at the start of the championship quarter in search of a spark, but Australia proved the stronger of the two sides, extending their advantage to 48–21 after 45 minutes.
In the final quarter, Australia kept their foot on the pedal to ensure an all-Australasian final against New Zealand. They maintained dominance, pinned the Baby Proteas in their own half, and held them to their lowest-scoring match of the tournament.
“We just lost too many passes and transitions, when we turned the ball, we just couldn’t convert,” said Mthembu.
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“When you make such mistakes against Australia, they will surely punish you for those errors. It became difficult for us to bounce back once we fell behind. We need to regroup and focus on the next match against England now.”
Final Fixtures at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup on Sunday, 28 September, 2025
17:00 – Bronze Medal Match: England vs South Africa (Europa Sports Complex)
19:00 – FINAL: Australia vs New Zealand (Europa Sports Complex)
Semi-Final Results on Friday, 26 September, 2025
England 49-51 New Zealand
Australia 67-36 South Africa
South Africa 45-79 Australia Quarter Score Breakdown
Q1 – South Africa 9-19 Australia
Q2 – South Africa 17-34 Australia
Q3 – South Africa 27-48 Australia
Q4 – South Africa 36-67 Australia
Quarter-Final Results on Thursday, 25 September, 2025
New Zealand 67-34 Malawi
Scotland 33-64 England
Cook Islands 45-79 South Africa
Australia 85 – 33 Jamaica
Pool D Results at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup
Sat 20 Sept: South Africa 102-27 Barbados
Mon 22 Sept: South Africa 105-15 Trinidad & Tobago
Tue 23 Sept: South Africa 64-33 Malawi
Wed 25 Sept: South Africa 86-35 Fiji
South Africa Starting XII vs Australia
GS – Mbali Diphoko
GA – Luané Smith
WA – Karla Victor
C – Kyla Dames
WD – Phophi Nematangari (c)
GD – Luca Keun
GK – Ametisse Bandu
Substitutes
Renezia Andrews
Bianca Lubbe
Zahrah Noah
Giada Prinsloo
Kiara van Eeden
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Australia denied the Spar Baby Proteas the chance to reach the final of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, winning 67–36 to book their place against New Zealand in the semi-finals at the Europa Sports Complex in Gibraltar, Europe, on Friday, 26 September 2025. All Photos: World Netball and Netball World Cup
Photo 2 Caption: The Spar Baby Proteas will now refocus and face England in the World Championship’s bronze medal play-off on Sunday.
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