Playing in front of a passionate home crowd for the first time since 2024, South Africa showed resilience and composure to claim an early series lead against a determined England side.
The hosts endured a nervous start as England capitalised on early errors to open up a 7–3 lead. However, once the SPAR Proteas settled, they began to find their rhythm through slick attacking play and a disciplined defensive effort. The defensive pairing of Sanmarie Visser, who was later named Player of the Match, and Juanita van Tonder proved effective in slowing England’s momentum, allowing South Africa to overturn the deficit and close the first quarter with a 16–12 advantage.
Coach Jenny van Dyk retained her starting seven for the second quarter as the Proteas delivered a more controlled and composed performance. South Africa’s defensive pressure continued to frustrate the visitors, while the attacking unit capitalised on scoring opportunities to maintain their four-goal cushion. The hosts headed into the halftime break leading 29–25.
Van Dyk made two changes at the start of the third quarter, introducing Kamogelo Maseko at goal attack and Nicola Smith, who earned her 50th Test cap, at goalkeeper. England responded with tactical changes of their own, shifting the momentum as they clawed their way back into the contest. The visitors levelled the scores at 31–31 and eventually edged ahead as South Africa struggled to adapt to the pressure.
Further adjustments followed, with Kyla Dames entering at wing attack and captain Khanyisa Chawane moving to centre, while Van Tonder returned to the goalkeeper position. Despite the changes, the Proteas trailed narrowly at the end of the third quarter, 39–38.
The final quarter proved decisive. Tarle Mathe returned to centre and Owethu Ngubane came back on at goal attack as South Africa regained their composure. After a tense opening, the Proteas rediscovered their rhythm, fought their way back into the lead and finished strongly to seal a 52–48 victory.
Van Dyk praised her side’s resilience, saying the match had become a tactical battle, but the players showed character and determination to see it through. Captain Chawane echoed those sentiments, admitting there was still work to be done despite the win.
The match was played with added emotion as the SPAR Proteas wore black armbands in tribute to the 14 schoolchildren who recently lost their lives in a tragic road accident.
Earlier in the day, South Africa’s men’s netball team were beaten 69–36 by the visiting Australian invitational side in the curtain-raiser.
The series continues with the second Test on Saturday, 31 January at 5pm, followed by the final Test on Sunday, 1 February at 4pm.