10/09/2026
๐ ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ช๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฏ ๐ฟ๐ฆ
In June 2013, the SPAR Proteas travelled to Blantyre with one goal โ to reclaim the number one spot in Africa.
Hosts Malawi were ranked fifth in the world, one place ahead of South Africa, and the Proteas knew just how difficult it was to face the Queens on home soil. Led by Maryka Holtzhausen in her first tournament as regular captain, South Africa recorded wins over Namibia, Swaziland and Uganda before beating Zambia 66โ48 in the semi-final.
Then came Malawi. ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฆ
In front of a passionate home crowd, nothing separated the two sides at the final whistle: 44โ44.
Extra time.
The SPAR Proteas found another gear and held on for a memorable 54โ52 victory to be crowned Africaโs champions. ๐๐ฟ๐ฆ
Vanes-Mari du Toit was named Player of the Tournament, while Adรฉle Zeelie celebrated her 50th Test cap during the championship.
The 2013 team:
๐ฟ๐ฆ Maryka Holtzhausen (C), Colleen Ferreira, Tsakane Mbewe, Yolandi Saalmans, Bongi Msomi, Erin Burger, Thuli Qegu, Precious Mthembu, Karla Pretorius, Adรฉle Zeelie, Nontle Gwavu and Vanes-Mari du Toit.
It would be another six years before South Africa returned to the Africa Netball Cup, this time on home soil in Cape Town in 2019. But thatโs a story for another throwbackโฆ ๐