The Silver Ferns have emerged from the three-test Taimi Janison Trophy with their reputation intact despite an increasingly stern test from South Africa’s visiting Spar Proteas, culminating in the final Test at the ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill, New Zealand, on Sunday, 28 September 2025.
The Proteas put up a great fight against Silver Ferns in the last match of the series, but despite a historic challenge by South Africa, it was New Zealand who snatched it at the last second to win 57–56.
In a touching moment, South African captain Khanyisa Chawane joined an elite list of players to have donned the green and gold, as she took to court for the 100th time to represent her country.
Proteas Head Coach Jenny van Dyk made a few changes to her starting seven going into the third test against the Silver Ferns, with Owethu Ngubane starting alongside Elmeré van der Berg in attack, while Jamie van Wyk joined Nicola Smith in defence.
“Today’s performance was a brilliant one! Out of the three games played in the series, this is the kind of performance we need to showcase if we want to play against the top three regularly.”
Spar Proteas Head Coach, Jenny van Dyk
SA entered the match eager to secure a win and avoid a series whitewash. Nicola Smith kept Grace Nweke at bay in the opening quarter, while Ngubane and Van der Berg worked hard at the other end. South Africa finished the quarter 12–8 ahead – the second time in the series that South Africa led the Silver Ferns after the first quarter.
The Proteas started the second quarter strongly, Ngubane scoring from the centre pass to continue their momentum. For the first time in forty meetings between the two nations, the Proteas led the Silver Ferns in two consecutive quarters. South Africa went into half-time leading 29–23.
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The Silver Ferns came out of the changing rooms a different team, quick off the mark to reduce the Proteas’ lead. Coach van Dyk introduced Kamogelo Maseko and Refilwe Nketsa in place of Chawane and Van der Merwe. South Africa reached another milestone in this match, winning the third quarter for the first time since 1965, and holding a 43–41 lead going into the final break.
Nicholé Breedt made her second appearance of the series when she came on in the last quarter. The Proteas were dealt a huge blow when Nicola Smith was sent off three minutes into the period, giving the Silver Ferns the advantage to close the gap and edge ahead.
The Proteas refreshed their line-up with the reintroduction of Ngubane and Van der Merwe. South Africa pushed the Silver Ferns right to the last second, but it was New Zealand who scored the decisive goal with just two seconds left on the clock to clinch the match 57–56.
“I am immensely proud of the team and what we have been able to achieve, looking at where we started at the start of the series compared to how we finished.”
Spar Proteas Captain, Khanyisa Chawane
“This is testament to the growth of the team,” said Chawane. “Every player showed up and gave their best. It is sad how we lost it at the end.”
“One of the biggest things for me as a coach was that we can’t walk into Commonwealth Games and play New Zealand for the first time there – we would not enough time to prepare for that,” said Coach Van Dyk.
2025 Taimi Janison Trophy Fixtures
Sun, 21 Sep: New Zealand 77-51 South Africa (Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland)
Wed, 24 Sep: New Zealand 70-58 South Africa (Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier)
Sun, 28 Sep: New Zealand 57-56 South Africa (ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill)
Third Test Quarter Score Breakdown
Q1 – South Africa 12-8 Sliver Ferns
Q2 – South Africa 29-23 Sliver Ferns
Q3 – South Africa 43-41 Sliver Ferns
Q4 – South Africa 56-57 Sliver Ferns
Spar Proteas Starting VII for the Final 2025 Taimi Janison Trophy Test Match
GS – Elmeré van der Berg
GA – Owethu Ngubane
WA – Khanyisa Chawane (c)
C – Tarle Mathe
WD – Shadine van der Merwe
GD – Jamie van Wyk
GK – Nicola Smith
Shooting Stats
Elmeré van der Berg 46/51 (90%)
Owethu Ngubane 10/14 (71%)
Original Copy: Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Silver Ferns have emerged from the three-test Taimi Janison Trophy with their reputation intact despite an increasingly stern test from South Africa’s visiting Spar Proteas, culminating in the final Test at the ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill, New Zealand, on Sunday, 28 September 2025. All Photos: Netball New Zealand
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