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More local competitions key to SA’s World Cup hopes - Labuschagne

football13 September 2025 15:11
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Ekurhuleni © Netball South Africa

South African senior men's Goal Shooter, Shane Labuschagne, believes having more local competitions will strengthen the sport as the world gears up for the first Men’s Netball World Cup.

As World Netball continues to build a case with the International Olympic Committee to include the sport in the quadrennial Olympic Games, the global netball mother body announced the launch of the men’s global spectacle set for 2028.

World Netball CEO Fiona Harold indicates that there have been a number of conversations with several stakeholders on how to ensure that the game grows.

Herold, through a statement, commends the growth of the men’s game.

“As the International Federation, it is our job to sustain and grow the game over the long term. Our sport is open to all, and now feels like the right time to make a clear statement on the men’s game, which is gaining momentum rapidly. The resounding feedback from many stakeholders across the game is that this is a really positive step, especially as we continue to strive and build our case for Olympic Games inclusion,” says Harold.

Netball South Africa (NSA) acting president Mami Diale says although South Africa has the facilities to host world-class international events, discussions are yet to be had about the possibility of hosting the inaugural Men’s World Cup.

“We have hosted a lot of international events, your test series, quad series, and the World Cup. We have facilities to host. It would be good to host. It would also be good to host the junior (World Cup), the junior (World Cup) is easier (to host) than the senior (tournament). Having managed to host the senior, we can host any international event. We are looking at that, and with the changes that World Netball has made, they have approached different countries to host. It is something that we still need to discuss as the executive, but it’s not something that I can say now that we can host it,” says Diale.

MORE DOMESTIC COMPETITION NEEDED

NSA has been making efforts to grow the men’s game in the country. South Africa has seen the senior men’s team do well on the continent, winning all the editions of the Men's Africa Netball Cup since its launch in 2023, and have also taken part in two Men's Fast5 Netball World Series.

The Males National Netball Championships is a key competition for national selectors for the international competitions.

However, Labuschagne believes that more domestic competitions would provide South Africa with a great fighting chance once the Men’s Netball World Cup begins.

“I think it is important to notice all the players that play in the Male Champs, in order to build up for the World Cup. I think there must be more tournaments included because we cannot only have one tournament. Everyone just prepares for one tournament for the year and then select the squad. A few days before we tour for the Africa Cup, we get together, have the final trials, and then they select the team. We do need more tournaments, there are not as many opportunities for us as with the women with the TNL. They have lots of other tournaments as well. We need to grow on that in order to build for that World Cup that’s coming up,” says Labuschagne.

Labuschagne’s Ekurhuleni was one of the 60 teams in this year’s competition.

The East Rand side emerged victorious, securing the title for a third consecutive year.

They beat the West Rand 52-50 to take the gold medal. Johannesburg A took the bronze medal following their 57-53 win over eThekwini A.

Meanwhile Mangaung beat Tshwane A in the final of the Under-23 41-39 to take the gold medal with eTheKwini A defeating Johannesburg A in the bronze medal match.

Labuschagne says that although they have won the competition consistently, they still put in the work when getting on court.

“It’s obviously the biggest males' tournament in South Africa. We are always challenged, every game is tough. But I think when it matters most, we know when to dive in and get the job done. It is getting more competitive each year. It was so nice to play in Durban, but the wind factor played a bit of a role. I couldn’t get in as many long-range shots as I usually do because of the wind. I was quite surprised to get the best shooter, but I guess the shots I took were enough to get the award,” he says.

Individual awards (senior)

Player of the tournament: Ishmat van Reenen (Cape Town)

Best shooter: Shane Labuschagne (Ekurhuleni A)

Best centre court player: Itumeleng Mohonoe (West Rand)

Best defender: Vukile Zulu (EThekwini A)

Individual awards (Under-23)

Player of the tournament: Brandon van Wyk (Tshwane)

Best shooter: Quen Viljoen (Sedibeng)

Best centre court player: Layton Mqungwana (Tshwane)

Best defender: Katleho Rotobane (Mangaung)

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