Spar Proteas head Down Under to test world’s best
The SPAR Proteas will travel to Australia in October to play a three-test series against the current World Champions and world number one ranked Origin Diamonds.
Image: Supplied / Netball South Africa
The scoreboard says one thing – 46 games, 46 wins for Australia – but the story between the SPAR Proteas and the Diamonds is becoming less one-sided by the year.
This October, South Africa’s national netball team will return to Australian shores for a three-Test series that could mark another turning point in a growing rivalry. The first match will be played at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena on Saturday, 4 October at 7.30pm, with the other two venues yet to be announced.
While Australia has never lost a Test to South Africa, recent encounters have grown tighter. At the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, South Africa lost by just two agonising points (55–53) in a semi-final thriller. That followed a narrow 54–50 result at the 2018 Quad Series.
Interesting to note that much of the Proteas’ competitive edge during that period was credited to former Australia coach Norma Plummer, who led the SA side from 2015-2019 and again in 2022-2023.
Jenny van Dyk, SPAR Proteas Head Coach welcomes the South African opportunity to play against the reigning World Champions Australia in Australia in a three-test series in October.
Image: Supplied / Reg Caldecott
Now under new coach Jenny van Dyk, the Proteas continue to rebuild and refine. “This is a crucial part of our growth as a team,” Van Dyk said. “We’re excited to get out there and give it our all.”
Australian head coach Stacey Marinkovich described the upcoming series as part of the Diamonds’ broader build-up toward the Constellation Cup, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
While Australia sees this series as a springboard toward bigger goals, they may find themselves in a tougher contest than expected.
And even if the scoreline remains in Australia’s favour, they’ll know they’ve been playing Test matches. The kind that leaves bruises – and teaches valuable lessons.
Fact Box
Total games played: 46
Proteas won: 0
Diamonds won: 46
Drew: 0
Proteas total goals scored: 1787
Diamonds total goals scored: 3114
Average score: Diamonds 68-39 Proteas
Proteas smallest losing margin: 2 goals (53-55) in 2019 in Liverpool.
Diamonds biggest winning margin: 61 goals (89-28) in 1999 in Sydney.
Most goals scored by Proteas: 53 (53-55) in 2019 in Liverpool.
Most goals scored by Diamonds: 89 (89-28) in 1999 in Sydney.