Pretorius leaves the international stage with an impressive 125 Test caps to her name, having established herself as one of the most respected defenders in world netball. Her final appearance for South Africa came at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, marking a fitting conclusion to a career that has spanned some of the biggest moments in the national team’s history.
For more than a decade, Pretorius was a commanding presence in the defensive circle. Her ability to read the game, win crucial intercepts and apply pressure to some of the world’s best attacking players made her one of the Proteas’ most dependable performers.
Her international journey included appearances at three Netball World Cups in 2015, 2019 and 2023, as well as Commonwealth Games campaigns in 2014, 2018 and 2026. One of the defining moments of her career came in 2019 when she was named Player of the Tournament at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool.
Beyond her international achievements, Pretorius has enjoyed an equally decorated domestic and professional career.
She was instrumental in the success of the Free State Crinums, helping the side to multiple Telkom Netball League titles. In 2026, she returned to the court after taking a break from playing and helped the Crinums secure another TNL championship, while also being named Defender of the Tournament.
Her career also took her overseas, where she became a key figure for Sunshine Coast Lightning in Australia. Pretorius was part of the club’s foundation squad and played a major role in back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball premierships in 2017 and 2018. She was named Grand Final MVP in 2017 and went on to collect several individual accolades during her time in Australia.
While stepping away from international netball marks the end of an era, Pretorius leaves behind far more than statistics and medals.
Her longevity, leadership and consistency have made her a role model for generations of South African netball players, while her performances on the biggest stages helped raise the profile of the sport both locally and internationally.
Pretorius has acknowledged that the decision to retire was not an easy one, but one that came after careful consideration. Having given more than 20 years to the game, she now walks away knowing she has given everything to the teams and country she represented.
From her early days in the Free State to becoming a world-class defender and a stalwart of the SPAR Proteas, Pretorius’ journey has been one defined by dedication, resilience and excellence.
The green and gold chapter may be over, but the legacy of Karla Pretorius will remain firmly woven into the story of South African netball.