NAIROBI, KENYA – South Africa’s national netball teams sent a resounding message on the opening day of the 2026 Africa Netball Cup, with both the SPAR Proteas and the Protea Warriors securing vital victories to kick off their respective title defences at the Moi International Sports Centre.
SPAR Proteas Demolish Tanzania in Statement Opener
The SPAR Proteas launched their campaign in emphatic fashion, storming to a comprehensive 90-22 victory over Tanzania in their Pool 1 fixture. Wearing black armbands in solidarity with the victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), the team delivered a performance characterized by relentless intensity and clinical execution from the opening whistle.
Head Coach Jenny van Dyk’s side took total control immediately, building a commanding 43-8 lead by halftime. The defensive unit and shooting circle were imperious, suffocating the Tanzanian attack and restricting them to single digits in every quarter.
The match also marked a special milestone for South African netball, with senior international debuts handed to shooter Tinita van Dyk (#162) and defender Luca Keun (#163). Keun’s appearance capped off a whirlwind week after joining the squad as a late injury replacement for stalwart Sanmarie Visser. With newly appointed captain Kamogelo Maseko starting on the bench, the commanding scoreline allowed Van Dyk to effectively rotate her combinations and test the squad’s depth.
Protea Warriors Dig Deep to Overcome Eswatini
In the men’s division, the Protea Warriors demonstrated immense character to secure a hard-fought 43-36 comeback victory against familiar rivals Eswatini.
It was a testing start for the defending champions, who found themselves trailing 14-22 at the halftime break after Eswatini controlled large spells of the opening halves. However, the South Africans showed their championship pedigree after the break. Clawing their way back into the contest, the Warriors levelled the score at 29-all by the end of the third quarter.
The introduction of Mpendulo Mncina and Simanga ‘Mgwaja’ Vilakati helped shift the momentum firmly in South Africa’s favour. A decisive fourth-quarter surge proved too much for Eswatini, allowing the Warriors to seal a crucial seven-goal victory and begin their round-robin campaign on a winning note.
Looking Ahead: Day 2 Fixtures
Both teams will be back in action tomorrow as they look to build on their opening-day success. All matches are streamed live and free on Discover Sport.
- 07:00 (SA Time): South Africa Men vs. Uganda
- 15:00 (SA Time): South Africa Women vs. Zimbabwe
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