A record 114 teams from 52 districts have gathered in Ekurhuleni for the tournament running from 1–6 December, the biggest staging of the event to date. Johannesburg, champions in both the senior and U21 divisions, enter as clear favourites but face fresh challenges.
Senior coach Elsje Jordaan confirmed that five key players will miss the tournament three on international duty and two through injury but believes the squad remains strong enough to defend their crown.
“It’s been special to win it three years in a row. Going for the fourth is motivating for all of us,” said Jordaan. “The youngsters stepping in are excited and full of energy. That gives us confidence.”
Captain Tinita van Dyk stressed that despite their past successes, the team is treating this as a clean slate.
“We’re starting from zero. The past motivates us, but we know we have to work for it again,” she said.
Johannesburg open their campaign against Cape Town on Monday morning, one of 68 senior teams in the draw, including the Botswana national side using the event to prepare for the Africa Netball Cup.
The defending U21 champions share similar ambition. Captain Phila Ntuli said her team is eager to build on last year’s success under coach and former Proteas star Bongi Msomi.
“We’ve worked hard and we want that winning feeling again,” said Ntuli.
This year marks the first time Ekurhuleni hosts the championships. Newly elected Netball South Africa president Mami Diale confirmed that the week will also highlight key social causes, including campaigns against gender-based violence, efforts to end period poverty, and awareness days such as World AIDS Day (1 December) and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December). Several deaf teams are once again part of the programme.