Men’s Proteas ready for historic challenge against Australia

Coach Shiko “Dukies” Mokaila is faced with a tough first assignment. Mokaila will lead his men’s Proteas squad in a historic match up against Australia.

South Africa and the Aussie Kelpies will face up in the three test match series in the Spar Challenge set for 29 and 31 January to 1 February at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena.

The men’s matches will serve as the curtain raisers for the main women’s matches on all the three test matches. The Spar Proteas will face the Vitality Roses from England.

South Africa men will come into this game on a high following a 100 percent winning run from the Africa Netball Cup held in Lilongwe, Malawi in December. The Proteas clinched their third consecutive continental title.

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY

Even though South Africa have taken part in the Men's Fast5 Netball World Series, where the two countries played against each other in the fast paced game, these two team have not played against one another in the traditional netball format. Mokaila says this is an exciting opportunity that they will grab with both hands.

“Australia is a really tough opponent but we are ready for the challenge. We are looking to learn, adapt and compete at a high level. As for the results, we will take one game at a time and see where it takes us.

"Australia are a different ball game from African teams. They have speed, precision, their defence is more on one on one. They are completely on one on one for the entire 60 minutes.

"We are the champions in Africa and I am sure they dominate in their own championships, this will create some kind of a rivalry to see who is at the top of the world,” said Mokaila.

SEARCHING FOR NEW TALENT

The coaching team held trials this weekend to pick a squad for the upcoming series, that will give the visitors a tough time. Mokaila was recently named as the head coach of the men’s Proteas.

He takes the reins from Jabulani Vilane who successfully guided the senior men’s side to three successive Africa Netball Cup titles, the latest being the 2025 edition that was held in Malawi last December.

Dukies signed a four-year contract with Netball South Africa and it will run until after the Men’s Netball World Cup which is set to be launched in 2028.

There are four changes in the squad from the one that represented South Africa at last year’s Africa Netball Cup. Juan van den Heever and Sandiso Zulu were named as the non-travelling reserves in that squad, they have now been drafted into the final 15-man squad for the Challenge.

Itumeleng Mohanoe and William Lethoko are the other two changes in the team. The former national captain says the trials were purposeful and helped the coaching squad experience the depth of the talent the country possesses.

“The trials were really insightful. What stood out was the depth of talent in the country and the competitiveness of players. We are quite excited about the blend of experience and new energy in the squad.

"We were looking for players who embody team values, who are passionate, resilient and work for each other and the team. Athletes who can execute our game plan and push themselves and others to be better,” he explains.

The former Brothers Netball coach is confident the coaching staff and selection committee was able to get the best players to represent the country in the Challenge while building up to the inaugural Men’s Netball World Cup set for 2028.

“We have a good mix of players who have played together before and new editions bringing in a new perspective. It’s a solid foundation we hope to build on because the plan is for us to be competitive by the time the World Cup comes in 2028.

"This competition is very important ahead of the World Cup because I know Australia are also preparing for it. I have a full trust on the group of players we have, some I have played with and I know what they are capable of. We just have to go out there and strut our stuff,” he said.

PROTEAS MEN’S SQUAD:

Sicelo Gamede, Shane Labuschagne, Lutendo Maiwashe, Edward Manyathela, Njabulo Nekhavhambe, Romeo Nqcaku, Lwazi Nzama, Eugene Sinxezi, Kwandile Sithole, Sibongakonke Vava, Vukile Zulu, Juan van den Heever, Sandiso Zulu, Itumeleng Mohanoe, William Lethoko