Mthembu proud as Baby Proteas make history on global stage

Precious Mthembu says she is pleased with how the Spar Baby Proteas performed in the recently wrapped Netball World Youth Cup. South Africa reached their best finish in the global competition by getting into the top four.

Mthembu’s charges missed out on the podium finish after losing the bronze medal match 55-35 to England. In previous editions, South Africa had only managed to finish fifth, the 2025 edition is the team’s best-ever performance.

This year’s global spectacle featured 18 teams instead of the usual 20 after Zambia and Sri Lanka didn’t make it to Gibraltar. Africa was represented by South Africa and Malawi.

The junior national team had been drawn into Pool D with Barbados, Young Queens of Malawi, Fiji, and Trinidad and Tobago, which the Baby Proteas annihilated to progress to the quarterfinals.

Mthembu’s charges continued their ideal performance and knocked out the Cook Islands for a place in the semis, where they tasted their first defeat of the competition at the hands of eventual winners, Australia.

Mthembu says she’s proud of her players’ efforts.

“It’s been an incredible journey for the Spar Baby Proteas. We came in with clear goals of doing the best and a lot of determination, and the players gave everything from start to finish. This was evidenced by the goal margins, scoring 100 or more goals in our pool games.

"The Netball World Youth Cup showed the growth of the team and the belief that South Africa belongs at this level,” said Mthembu.

Acting Netball South Africa president, Mami Diale, set a mandate for the team before their departure, and they have been able to deliver.

“We are not putting pressure on them, but it will be good if we get into the top four. At least. But it will be better if we can have a podium so we can change the narrative of always being in the top five,” said Diale.

Mthembu and her assistant Phumza Maweni were able to steer the team to its first top-four finish. Former Spar Proteas wing defence says she’s thrilled to be part of the history-making team.

“It’s a huge honour and something I’m very proud of, not for myself as Precious Mthembu but for the Baby Proteas, for the country and for the federation. This achievement belongs to the entire team, including management, and to everyone who supported us at home. 

"We did it for everyone, especially for all our sponsors. Being the first coach to help take South Africa into the top four is a milestone, but it’s also just the beginning of where we want to go. I’m excited to see what lies ahead for these players,” she explained.

Mthembu said she’s in awe of the growth and composure her players showed throughout the competition.

“There were many, but a few stand out. The composure the players showed in tough situations, since back in South Africa when we competed in the Telkom Netball League and the Spar Championships. The pride of seeing the team celebrate victories together is something I’ll never forget.

"Every player contributed in their own way, and it was truly a team effort. Some individuals really stepped up their performances at times when it was needed. The leadership on the field from Phophi (Nematangari) and Karla (Victor) was amazing.

"I think it’s important to acknowledge the squad as a whole because everyone played a role in this achievement,” she said.

Mthembu reckons that more and regular competitions especially against top netball countries, will be key in shaping the future of the sport.

“Preparation is everything. The competition taught me that we need much more competition in South Africa. We needed to play against the top four netball countries to contest and know how far we are before going to the World Cup.

"The physicality and mental (strength) are another factor that needs to be looked at for our players. The key lesson is that South Africa can compete at the highest level, but we must keep building,” she said.

Spar Proteas coaches, Jenny van Dyk and Zanele Mdodana, will be looking to the junior team to reinforce their team in the future for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games as well as the 2027 edition of the World Cup.

Goal shooter, Mbali Diphoko, is hopeful that her performance in Gibraltar will open doors for her to grow in the sport.

“I am really proud of how I played, and although we didn't get the outcome we wanted, finishing fourth overall is a huge achievement for us. It was an incredible experience playing with such talented players, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have represented South Africa on the world stage.

"Playing in the Netball World Youth Cup was exciting. The energy, the competition, and the team spirit among teams were all so inspiring. I felt a sense of responsibility to give my best and make my country proud.

"The tournament was a fantastic learning experience, and I'm thankful for the memories and lessons I'll carry forward. This experience has opened doors for me, and I'm excited to see where my netball journey takes me next,” said Diphoko.