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Spar Baby Proteas set sights on bronze after semifinal defeat

netball26 September 2025 20:00
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In the second semifinal match of the day, Australia denied the Spar Baby Proteas the chance to reach the final of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, winning 67–36 to book their place against arch-rivals New Zealand. New Zealand beat England 50-48 in a dramatic first semifinal.

The Spar Baby Proteas will now face England in the bronze medal play-off on Sunday.

The Baby Proteas entered the semifinal as underdogs, despite having recorded a superior goal difference during the group stages. South Africa knew they would need to deliver their very best performance against the Aussies to set up a date with New Zealand in the final.

Australia, however, were determined not to surrender their opportunity to reach the final and go one better than in 2017. They were first off the mark, applying relentless pressure on the South Africans, who were forced out of their usual rhythm into long passes that favoured the Aussies. At the end of the first quarter, Australia led 19–9.

The second quarter unfolded much the same way, with Australia continuing to press hard. The Spar Baby Proteas began to settle midway through the quarter, but it was too late to halt Australia’s momentum, as South Africa were restricted to just eight goals in reply to 15.

Head coach Precious Mthembu introduced changes at the start of the championship quarter in search of a spark, but Australia proved the stronger of the two sides, extending their advantage to 48–21 after 45 minutes.

In the final quarter, Australia kept their foot on the pedal to ensure an all-Australasian final against New Zealand. They maintained dominance, pinned the Spar Baby Proteas in their own half, and held them to their lowest-scoring match of the tournament.

Mthembu said that the loss was a tough one against the Aussies. “We really tested ourselves tonight. It was interesting to see where we stood at this level. We lost too many passes in transitions. When we turned the ball, we could not convert, and against a team like Australia, you really get punished by those errors.

"It’s impossible to play a catch-up game against a team like Australia. Now we need to learn from the loss and focus on our bronze medal match against England on Sunday and put every effort into a podium finish.”

Quarter Score Breakdown:

Q1 – SPAR Baby Proteas 09 – 19 Australia

Q2 - SPAR Baby Proteas 17 – 34 Australia

Q3 - SPAR Baby Proteas 27 – 48 Australia

Q4 - SPAR Baby Proteas 36 – 67 Australia

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