The Spar Proteas made it two wins from two at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, beating Zimbabwe 58-41 in a meeting of Pool 1’s unbeaten sides at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday, 20 September 2026.
The victory doubled as a celebration for wing defence Refiloe Nketsa, who ran out for her 50th cap for South Africa on the day.
Head coach Jenny van Dyk made a few changes to her starting seven from the opening win over Tanzania, handing Rolene Streutker the goal shooter bib alongside captain Kamogelo Maseko at goal attack, with Kyla Dames at wing attack, Karla Victor at centre, Nketsa at wing defence, Thulisile Maduna at goal defence and Juanita van Tonder at goal keeper.
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South Africa began strongly and dominated the first quarter, their tactical discipline forcing Zimbabwe into a string of unforced errors as the Spar Proteas built a 14-6 lead.
The momentum carried into the second quarter, where sustained pressure took the defending champions to a 29-17 half-time lead.
Van Dyk made one change for the championship quarter, sending Tinita van Dyk on for Streutker at goal shooter, and she settled at once, converting from South Africa’s centre pass. At the end of the third quarter, the Spar Proteas led 44-30.
Wholesale changes followed in the final quarter, with Owethu Ngubane replacing Maseko, Luca Keun coming on for Maduna, Dames taking over Nketsa’s wing defence duties and Nonsikelelo Mazibuko replacing Tinita van Dyk, who moved to goal keeper.
South Africa’s control never slipped as they closed out the 58-41 win.
The result stings for the Gems, who arrived in Nairobi chasing a third successive Netball World Cup appearance. Ranked 11th in the world, Zimbabwe remain in the hunt for one of the two African places at Sydney 2027 still to be decided, while already-qualified South Africa continue to sharpen their combinations, Van Dyk having framed the tournament at the August squad announcement as a chance to rotate her squad and build depth on the road to the World Cup.
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Two from two, with two to play. After a well-earned rest day on Monday, the Spar Proteas close their pool campaign against Botswana on Tuesday and Namibia on Wednesday, both at the Moi International Sports Centre.
Match 2: South Africa 58-41 Zimbabwe Score Breakdown
Q1: South Africa 14-6 Zimbabwe
Q2: South Africa 15-11 Zimbabwe (29-17)
Q3: South Africa 15-13 Zimbabwe (44-30)
Q4: South Africa 14-11 Zimbabwe (58-41)
The 2026 Africa Netball Cup and Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier Africa at the Moi International Sports Centre, from Saturday 19 September to Saturday 26 September 2026
Saturday 19 September 2026
Tanzania 22-90 South Africa (Pool 1)
Malawi 72-38 Zambia (Pool 2)
Botswana 39-57 Zimbabwe (Pool 1)
Kenya 61-40 Nigeria (Pool 2)
Sunday 20 September 2026
Namibia 54-32 Botswana (Pool 1)
Malawi 55-47 Kenya (Pool 2)
South Africa 58-41 Zimbabwe (Pool 1)
Nigeria 30-68 Uganda (Pool 2)
Monday 21 September 2026
12h00: Zambia vs. Uganda (Pool 2)
14h00: Zimbabwe vs. Namibia (Pool 1)
16h00: Malawi vs. Nigeria (Pool 2)
18h00: Botswana vs. Tanzania (Pool 1)
Tuesday 22 September 2026
12h00: Namibia vs. Tanzania (Pool 1)
14h00: Nigeria vs. Zambia (Pool 2)
16h00: South Africa vs. Botswana (Pool 1)
18h00: Kenya vs. Uganda (Pool 2)
Wednesday 23 September 2026
12h00: Uganda vs. Malawi (Pool 2)
14h00: Tanzania vs. Zimbabwe (Pool 1)
16h00: Zambia vs. Kenya (Pool 2)
18h00: Namibia vs. South Africa (Pool 1)
Spar Proteas Starting VII
GS: Rolene Streutker
GA: Kamogelo Maseko (captain)
WA: Kyla Dames
C: Karla Victor
WD: Refiloe Nketsa
GD: Thulisile Maduna
GK: Juanita van Tonder
Substitutes
Luca Keun
Nonsikelelo Mazibuko
Owethu Ngubane
Nozipho Ntshangase
Tinita van Dyk
Zimbabwe Starting VII
GS: Thandazile Ndhlovu
GA: Prisca Mpofu
WA: Prudence Sibanda
C: Anifa Luya
WD: Takadanaishe Zimusi
GD: Upenyu Muyambo
GK: Elizabeth Mushore
Substitutes
Enesi Chavarika
Beaular Daure
Progress Moyo
Nicole Muzanenhamo
Perisinevi Tobviroona
The 2026 Africa Cup Pools
Pool 1
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Namibia
Botswana
Tanzania
Pool 2
Uganda
Malawi
Zambia
Kenya
Nigeria
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Spar Proteas’ Goal Attack skipper Kamogelo Maseko shooting during South Africa’s second victory in Nairobi, made it two wins from two at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup with a 58-41 victory over Zimbabwe in a meeting of Pool 1’s unbeaten sides, wing as head coach Jenny van Dyk’s rotated squad stayed in full control, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Kenya, on Sunday, 20 September 2026. All Photos: Netball South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Flanked by Zanele Mdodana and Jenny van Dyk, Refiloe Nketsa earned her 50th cap as the Spar Proteas beat Zimbabwe on Sunday.
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