Head Coach Jenny van Dyk’s side eclipsed the previous South African record of 92 goals, underlining the team’s growing confidence and attacking firepower as they continue their impressive 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign.
Coming into the match, South Africa was riding high after a convincing victory over Malawi in their tournament opener. Tonga, meanwhile, was looking to bounce back from a difficult first-round defeat to world number one Australia. The encounter also marked only the second meeting between the two nations, with their first clash taking place at the 2023 Netball World Cup.
Jenny van Dyk made several changes to her starting lineup, but the fresh combinations wasted no time stamping their authority on the contest. South Africa struck first and never looked back, with the attacking partnership of Owethu Ngubane and Rolene Streutker proving unstoppable. Their speed, movement, and clinical finishing helped South Africa race to a commanding 26–15 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
The momentum continued in the second quarter as the Proteas dictated the pace on both ends of the court. Despite a setback when goalkeeper Nicola Smith was forced off with an injury midway through the quarter, South Africa remained composed and relentless, extending their advantage to 51–23 by halftime.
Van Dyk continued to rotate her squad after the break, introducing Refiloe Nketsa and Karla Victor, while Smith made her return to the court. Although Tonga showed greater attacking intent during the third quarter, South Africa remained firmly in control, adding another 21 goals to keep the result beyond doubt.
The final quarter showcased the depth within the South African squad. Karla Pretorius and Rolene Streutker made way for Jamie Golob and Kamogelo Maseko, with the substitutes seamlessly maintaining the team’s intensity. Defensively, Van Wyk and Nicola Smith shut down Tonga’s attacking opportunities, limiting them to just seven goals in the final 15 minutes. At the other end, Maseko and Ngubane finished strongly, combining for 21 goals to seal an emphatic 96–42 victory.
The record-breaking performance not only highlighted South Africa’s attacking brilliance but also demonstrated the quality and depth throughout the squad, with every player contributing to another commanding display. With two wins from two matches, South Africa will now enjoy a well-earned rest day before returning to the court on Tuesday, where they will face Northern Ireland at 15:00 (SAST). The