NETBALL MEDIA RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2025
SPAR BABY PROTEAS MARCH INTO THE WORLD YOUTH CUP QUARTER FINALS
Unbeaten South Africa beat Fiji to top their Pool at World Youth Cup
Gibraltar: The SPAR Baby Proteas continued with their 2025 Netball World Youth Cup winning streak as they dominated Fiji 86 -35 in their final Pool D match. The two nations met for the fourth time and South Africa are yet to taste defeat against the Pacific Islanders.
South Africa remains unbeaten in the tournament
SPAR Proteas Head Coach, Precious Mthembu’s charges plan. to carry their winning streak into the quarterfinals on Thursday where they come up against Cook Islands for a place in the semi-finals. South Africa have never reached the last four of the global show pieces.
Mthembu made some changes to her starting seven, giving a few of the players that started the opening first three Pool matches a rest. As one would have expected, SPAR Baby Proteas were the first to draw blood and immediately put Fiji on the back foot with the fast-paced game. At the end of the first quarter, South Africa enjoyed a 23 -5 lead.
In the second quarter, South Africa managed to contain the Fijian attack and restricted them to scoring only 7 goals in reply to the SPAR Baby Proteas 21.
The Championship quarter saw the SPAR Baby Proteas flying high with the team continuing to press Fiji as best as they could and making sure that they restrict them in their own half. At the end of the quarter, South Africa led the game 67 – 22.
The final quarter saw Fiji fighting hard, but the SPAR Baby Proteas contained the onslaught winning the quarter 20-13.
The South Africa vs Cook Islands game will start at 19:00 CAT on Thursday 25 September 2025 and will be streamed live on Netball Pass and Netball World Cup YouTube channel.
South Africa’s highest finish at the Netball World Youth Cup is fifth and Mthembu and her charges have set their eyes on improving that and doing better in this year’s edition.
“I am very pleased with the team’s performance today and getting a win against a strong opposition like Fiji. The results set us up nicely for quarterfinal match against Cook Islands. We now must shift our attention and focus on that match. Fortunately for us, we had a practice match against them when we got here so we have a better understanding of what to expect tomorrow,” said a delighted Mthembu.
Quarter Score Breakdown:
Q1 – SPAR Baby Proteas 23 – 05 Fiji
Q2 – SPAR Baby Proteas 44 – 12 Fiji
Q3 – SPAR Baby Proteas 67 – 22 Fiji
Q4 – SPAR Baby Proteas 86 – 35 Fiji
SPAR Baby Proteas Starting XII
GS -Mbali Diphoko; GA – Giada Prinsloo; WA – Renezia Andrews; C- Karla Victor ( C); WD – Zahrah Noah ( C ); GD –Kiara van Eeden; GK – Luca Keun
FREE TO USE PICTURES WITH CAPTIONS
Mbali Diphoko- the SPAR Baby Proteas Goal Shooter, controls the ball in the circle during South Africa’s dominant 85-35 win against Fiji on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup being played in Gibraltar. The SPAR Baby Proteas were unbeaten in their Pool D to top the Pool and qualify for the quarter finals. South Africa and now Cook Islands on Thursday 25 September 2025.
Renezia Andrews- the SPAR Baby Proteas Wing Attack, controls the ball during South Africa’s dominant 85-35 win against Fiji on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup being played in Gibraltar. The SPAR Baby Proteas were unbeaten in their Pool D to top the Pool and qualify for the quarter finals. South Africa and now Cook Islands on Thursday 25 September 2025.
Bianca Lubbe- the SPAR Baby Proteas Goal Shooter, shoots for goal during South Africa’s dominant 85-35 win against Fiji on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup being played in Gibraltar. The SPAR Baby Proteas were unbeaten in their Pool D to top the Pool and qualify for the quarter finals. South Africa and now Cook Islands on Thursday 25 September 2025.
Luca Keun- the SPAR Baby Proteas Goalkeeper, fights for the ball during South Africa’s dominant 85-35 win against Fiji on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup being played in Gibraltar. The SPAR Baby Proteas were unbeaten in their Pool D to top the Pool and qualify for the quarter finals. South Africa and now Cook Islands on Thursday 25 September 2025.
Photo credits: Netball World Cup