The SPAR Proteas are scheduled to play a three-Test series against the Silver Ferns in New Zealand later this year.
This series is part of their preparations for the Commonwealth Games next year in Glasgow and the Sydney Netball World Cup in 2027.
The Silver Ferns, currently ranked second in the world, will compete with the fifth-ranked SPAR Proteas for the Taini Jamison Trophy.
The matches will take place in Auckland, Napier, and Invercargill on September 21, 24 & 28.
National coach Jenny van Dyk expressed her excitement about the upcoming tour.
“We learned so much during our tour of Jamaica and England earlier this year, and we need to step up our game.
It is important for us to play against the top four teams as often as possible.
I’m happy with our core group of players, but we will keep an eye on the Telkom Netball League to identify any talent that we may have overlooked,” said Van Dyk.
Over the past ten years, the SPAR Proteas and Silver Ferns have faced each other 37 times, with the SPAR Proteas winning only one match.
In the most recent encounter between at the 2023 Netball World Cape in Cape Town, the teams drew 48-48.
Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana emphasized the importance of competing against top teams to assess the strength of the SPAR Proteas.
“If we want to reach the semifinals in the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup, we need to beat at least one of the top four teams.
Therefore, it’s crucial for us to play these teams consistently and frequently,” explained Mdodana.
New Zealand Head Coach, Dame Noeline Taurua, echoed both Van Dyk and Mdodana’s comments.
“We’re excited to host the South African team for the Taini Jamison Trophy.
These matches will serve as a great test for us as we continue to build our squad depth and combinations,” Taurua remarked.
