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Van Dyk builds for the future as the Proteas face off against England

football27 January 2026 15:09
By:Busisiwe Mokwena
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Fran Williams and KC Chawane © Reg Caldecott

Spar Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk believes that the Spar Challenge gives the team the opportunity to build the depth of the team.

The African champions host fourth ranked side, England in a three-test match series that will run from 29 and 31 January to 1 February, at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg.

The tournament will also see the senior men’s side take to court as they go head to head against the Australian Kelpies.

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CHANCE FOR DEBUTANTS

Van Dyk has named two uncapped players in the squad, Thulisile Maduna and Tinita van Dyk, as she looks to widen the pool of players in the circles.

The former Gauteng Jaguars mentor says they are assembling a team beyond the upcoming series.

She stresses that it is important to build towards the Commonwealth Games in July but also for the Sydney, Australia 2027 Netball World Cup.

“For us it is about creating the depth in the circles. We have got some phenomenal players in those positions already but anything can happen at any time. Our players will be leaving to go to the UK and Australia as soon as the 2nd of February. It’s going to be a long local and international league season for them as well. Then the next time we step on court will be the Commonwealth Games.

“So for us, it is about creating the depth and the variety we need in areas we felt we were lacking in the past. Just because we felt an area was lacking, it doesn’t mean that player is not the best option for us. That is what we want to test as well. We want to see these types of conditions and when we have two players in camp for the whole week it is important for us to see the combinations work and also understanding that should something happen, we’ve got that third option lined up and they are aligned and know what we want,” explains van Dyk.

COUNTING ON MOMENTUM

Although South Africa returned from the Australasian tour without a win, the team was able to carry out great performances at the Africa Netball Cup in Malawi.

Van Dyk believes that the momentum of the last few months will be key in the contest against the Vitality Roses.

“We have gathered quite a lot of momentum through the Australia and New Zealand tours, through the Africa Cup as well. We had a little bit of a compulsory rest phase because that’s the only rest these players will get through to the World Cup.

“We have had most of that momentum all the way to now. We have had a good camp, we have done our homework, we have prepared our players well and they know what exactly is expected of them. Now there’s just the final or two sessions that we have before we play our first match but we really need to bring everything together and settle those combinations,” she explains.

The last time the Proteas and the Roses met was at last year’s Vitality Nations Cup, where South Africa managed to edge the English on home soil in the group stages, van Dyk hopes that having the home crowd will work to their advantage.

“We are playing home games and that is something we have been looking forward to for a long time. The only other home games we’ve had was against Malawi. You know, for us England is a priority because they are in the same pool as us in the Commonwealth Games, together with Australia and Malawi as well. So for us it is important to know what exactly we are up against and to test ourselves against England because when the Commonwealths come we will only have one opportunity and in that one opportunity you have to win in order to progress to the semifinals,” she says.

Roses coach Jess Thirlby says they know that South Africa are a strong team. She says they are looking forward to a fierce fight on court.

“We love coming here. We had a brilliant time here in 2023 for the World Cup with our first silver medal. Since my time in this role the rivalry and the standard by which these two teams demand from each other is excellent. We’re under no illusion that we’re ranked fourth and South Africa fifth. They have had a brilliant season so far, having the experience to play in Australia and New Zealand which I know is something new for Jenny and the team.

“Having been a team that absolutely goes and plays the best teams in the world over the last five years, we know the value in that. So we are expecting a really competitive series against a South Africa Proteas side with huge and emerging talent over the last 18 months. A shooting circle of complete diversity of style, range and accuracy. We’ve got some knowledge of them and we are looking forward to it because both teams have diversity,” says Thirlby.

SPAR PROTEAS

Khanyisa Chawane (c), Kyla Dames, Jamie Golob (née van Wyk), Thulisile Maduna, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nozipho Ntshangase, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmeré van der Berg, Tinita van Dyk, Juanita van Tonder, Sanmarie Visser.

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