The SPAR Proteas are set to face off against the Silver Ferns in the 2025 Taimi Janison Trophy in a three international test-match South Africa vs New Zealand thriller. The test match will start on Sunday 21st September with subsequent games played on Wednesday 24th and Sunday 28th September. 

Coach Jenny van Dyk and her charges arrived in Auckland on Sunday evening. van Dyk selected a 15-player team for this series and has confirmed that the team is ready to take to court, do well and make the nation proud, including the new players that have been called up to the team. The last time the two nations clashed was during the 2023 Netball World Cup match that ended in a 48 all draw.

The recent news of the standing down of the Silver Ferns head coach, Dame Noeline Taurua, along with her assistant coaches has left the SPAR Proteas wondering how this could impact the Silver Ferns. 

“We will not make any assumptions about how this development might affect the performance of the Silver Ferns. Regardless of what they do, it is important for us to stick to our game plan and ensure that we execute it accordingly. We have assembled a team that we believe is good enough to compete.  Ours is to make sure that we show up, are prepared and do well,” sais Coach Jenny van Dyk, SPAR Proteas Head Coach. 

The SPAR Proteas would be looking to get only their second win against their opponents, with New Zealand enjoying 36 wins in 38 matches. When you consider the rivalry between the two countries across various sporting codes, a win in Auckland for South Africa is one Coach Jenny would savour most. 

Shadine van der Merwe makes a welcome return to the team for the first time since the 2023 Netball World Cup and will step into the vice captaincy. Nozipho Ntshangase also makes a return to the side, while Entle Futshane and Juanita van Tonder are the only uncapped players. 
SPAR Proteas go into this series as underdogs. However, Coach Jenny understands that the tag also comes with its own pressures. 

“We are seen as underdogs, granted, but that does not mean that we should not aim for a win. We approach every game with the seriousness it deserves. Now the greatest pressure is on the hosts because they are playing at home and want to make their fans happy - but we also need to step up,” concluded van Dyk. 

South Africa has eight players in the current squad playing their netball overseas. The coaching duo of van Dyk and Mdodana believe that this bodes well for the team. These players bring a wealth of knowledge and experience into the team. 

Fixtures – all games start at 9.40am

Sunday, September 21

Wednesday, September 24

Sunday, September 28