The Spar Proteas opened their Africa Netball Cup title defence with a commanding 90-22 victory over Tanzania in their Pool 1 opener at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
South Africa took the court wearing black armbands in memory of victims of gender-based violence and femicide, a gesture of solidarity with the families and loved ones left behind.
The five-time African champions seized the early initiative and led 43-8 at half-time, then maintained their grip after the interval to seal a 68-goal victory.
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Head coach Jenny van Dyk handed starts to Nonsikelelo Mazibuko at goal shooter and Owethu Ngubane at goal attack, with Karla Victor, Kyla Dames and Refiloe Nketsa across the midcourt and Thulisile Maduna and Nozipho Ntshangase anchoring the defence. Captain Kamogelo Maseko was named among the substitutes.
The day brought first senior caps for Luca Keun and Tinita van Dyk, who both debuted from the bench. Keun, named a non-travelling reserve when the squad was announced in August, was included in the matchday 12 in Nairobi and marked her elevation with a maiden appearance.
The tournament doubles as the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier Africa. South Africa and Uganda have already secured their places at the World Cup through the world rankings, leaving the remaining nations to contest the continent’s final two spots.
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The Spar Proteas continue their Pool 1 campaign against Zimbabwe at the same venue on Sunday, 20 September, before facing Botswana on Tuesday and Namibia on Wednesday.
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
12h00: Namibia vs. Botswana (Pool 1)
14h00: Malawi vs. Kenya (Pool 2)
16h00: South Africa vs. Zimbabwe (Pool 1)
18h00: Nigeria vs. 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)
The 2026 Africa Cup Pools
Pool 1
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Namibia
Botswana
Tanzania
Pool 2
Uganda
Malawi
Zambia
Kenya
Nigeria
Original Spar Proteas Squad for the 2026 Africa Netball Cup
Rolene Streutker
Nonsikelelo Mazibuko
Kamogelo Maseko (captain)
Owethu Ngubane
Kyla Dames
Karla Victor
Refiloe Nketsa
Sanmarie Visser
Thulisile Maduna
Nozipho Ntshangase
Juanita van Tonder
Tinita van Dyk
Non-travelling Reserves
Sanelisiwe Ntobela
Phophi Nematangari
Luca Keun
Management
Head Coach: Jenny van Dyk
Assistant Coach: Zanele Mdodana
Team Manager: Vinolia Austin
Main Photo Caption: The Spar Proteas opened their 2026 Africa Netball Cup title defence with a 90-22 Pool 1 victory over Tanzania, wearing black armbands in remembrance of victims of gender-based violence and femicide, with Luca Keun and Tinita van Dyk earning their first senior caps, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, 19 September 2026. All Photo: Netball South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Luca Keun and Tinita van Dyk earned their first senior caps as SA defeated Tanzania in their 2026 Africa Netball Cup opener in Nairobi.
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