𝑵𝑬𝑻𝑩𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑺𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯 𝑨𝑭𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑨 𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑪𝑬𝑺 𝑭𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑺𝑸𝑼𝑨𝑫 𝑭𝑶𝑹 2025 𝑵𝑬𝑻𝑩𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑻𝑯 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑳𝑫 𝑪𝑼𝑷

Netball South Africa has named the final SPAR Baby Proteas squad, for the upcoming 2025 Netball Youth World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Gibraltar from 19 to 28 September 2025. The announcement was made by Netball South Africa Acting President, Mami Diale on Wednesday, 23 July. Diale praised the team’s preparation and track record ahead of the global competition.

The Baby Proteas will be coached by former national player Precious Mthembu and will head into the tournament with confidence after strong performances in recent matches. The team went unbeaten in the Africa World Youth Cup qualifiers and convincingly defeated Jamaica’s Under-21 side in an international series. The final squad was selected from a larger talent pool, with players being closely evaluated in various competitions, including the Telkom Netball League (TNL).

Corporate partners have also expressed their support for the team. SPAR, the title sponsor of the squad, extended congratulations to the selected players and coaching staff. “The Baby Proteas are key to NSA’s development programme for the future national team, a cause that SPAR is proud to support,” said Mpudi Maubane, SPAR’s National PR, Communications & Sponsorships Manager.

South Africa has been drawn in Pool D, where they will face strong competition from Barbados, Malawi, Fiji, and Trinidad and Tobago. NSA confirmed that the selection process began three years ago, with a focus on identifying athletes who exhibit exceptional skill, discipline, and team spirit, traits essential for competing at the world level.

Beyond the court, support continues to grow. Renault South Africa has provided a Renault Captur vehicle to Coach Mthembu to assist her in her duties leading up to the World Cup. “As Renault, we feel privileged to be able to support the growth of netball in SA, in partnership with NSA,” said Renault South Africa CEO, Shumani Tshifularo. “We wish Precious Mthembu safe travels in her Renault Captur.”

The final squad includes 15 talented players, led by captain Phophi Nematangari, all of whom aim to uphold and extend South Africa’s proud netball legacy on the international stage.

2025 SPAR Baby Proteas Under-21 Squad:
Jade Atkins, Renezia Andrews, Ametise Bandu, Kyla Dames, Mbali Diphoko, Lisa Ingwersen, Luca Keun, Bianca Lubbe, Nonkcubeko Mjaliswa, Phophi Nematangari (captain), Zahrah Noah, Giada Prinsloo, Luane Smith, Karla Victor, and Kiara Van Eeden.