Resilient SPAR Proteas Fall Just Short Against Silver Ferns

The SPAR Proteas produced a spirited performance in the final Test of the series, but it was the Silver Ferns who snatched victory in the dying moments to edge South Africa 57–56.

Head coach Jenny van Dyk made several changes to her starting seven for the third Test. Owethu Ngubane partnered Elmére van der Berg in attack, while Jamie van Wyk joined Nicola Smith in defence.

South African captain Khanyisa Chawane marked a special milestone, becoming just the latest player to achieve 100 caps for her country.

Determined to avoid a series whitewash, the Proteas started with intent. Smith successfully contained Grace Nweke in the opening exchanges, while Ngubane and Van der Berg combined effectively at the other end. South Africa took a 12–8 lead into the first break – only the second time in the series they had led New Zealand after the opening quarter.

The second quarter saw the Proteas extend their advantage. Ngubane netted immediately from the centre pass, and South Africa maintained momentum to head into half-time 29–23 ahead. For the first time in 40 encounters between the two sides, the Proteas had led the Silver Ferns at back-to-back quarter breaks.

The Silver Ferns responded strongly after the interval, closing the gap quickly. Coach Van Dyk introduced Kamogelo Maseko and Refilwe Nketsa for Chawane and Shadine van der Merwe. Despite the pressure, the Proteas achieved another historic milestone, winning the third quarter for the first time since 1965 to carry a 43–41 lead into the final stanza.

Nichole Breedt made her second appearance of the series in the last quarter, but disaster struck three minutes in when Smith was sent off, handing New Zealand the advantage. Although Van Dyk reintroduced Ngubane and Van der Merwe in a final push, the Silver Ferns scored the decisive goal with just two seconds remaining to seal the one-point win.

Post-match reaction

Reflecting on her 100th cap, Chawane said:

“I am immensely proud of the team and how we have grown across this series. Every player gave their best. It’s heartbreaking to lose it at the end, but our progress was clear to see.”

Coach Van Dyk praised the performance while stressing the need for regular competition against world-class opposition:

“Today’s effort was the best of the series. This is the standard we must deliver consistently if we want to compete with the top three. One of the key learnings for me is that we can’t arrive at a Commonwealth Games and face New Zealand for the first time there – that would not give us enough preparation.”

Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana echoed the sentiment, highlighting the resilience and fighting spirit shown by the team.