South Africa’s youth have finished fifteenth out of the sixteen nation qualifiers, securing a proud victory their final encounter at the World Aquatics’ U20 Women’s Water Polo Championship, in Salvador, Brazil, from 10 to 16 August 2025.
The team from Mzansi went winless in the initial group stage but managed to secure a morale-boosting victory against Mexico in their final match of the event, where they secured a 15-8 victory to end the championship on a high note.
A fast start in the first quarter saw the South Africans set the tone for the game, and Q2 saw them race into the lead, scoring six goals and eventually securing the victory on Friday.
There was more reason to celebrate as Hannah Banks was named Player of the Match as the team finished third of the four teams in Group E, the victory seeing South Africa finish fifteenth.
South Africa first three encounters in Group D saw them outplayed in the opening fixture against Australia, losing to China by a similar margin before an improved performance against Canada still saw them finish bottom of that group.
South Africa’s opening Group E tie saw them score 10 goals for the first time, a much closer loss against Argentina, before a second match against Canada saw the opposition gain ground on the South Africans.
Meanwhile, USA triumphed by a point in their gold medal match to secure a marginal 16-15 victory over Spain, and Greece got the better of Italy in their bronze medal match to seal a 10-7 win on Saturday.
U20 Women’s Championship Results
Group D
South Africa 4-17 Australia
China 16-4 South Africa
Canada 14-8 South Africa
Group E
Argentina 15-10 South Africa
Canada 12-4 South Africa
Mexico 8-15 South Africa
Team South Africa
Hannah Banks
Michaela Boaventura
Morgan Christian
Georgia Eccles
Bella Imbriolo
Julia Joseph
Mia Loizides
Ogechi McMurray
Cate McMurray
Gabriella Morrell
Bella Murray
Emma Pelicot
Jaime van den Bosch
Tori Voke
Final Placings of the World Aquatics’ U20 Women’s Water Polo Championship, in Salvador, Brazil, from 10 to 16 August 2025
1. United States of America
2. Spain
3. Greece
4. Italy
5. Hungary
6. Netherlands
7. Croatia
8. Brazil
9. Australia
10. China
11. New Zealand
12. Israel
13. Canada
14. Argentina
15. South Africa
16. Mexico
Main Photo Caption: South Africa secured a morale-boosting win at the U20 Women’s Water Polo Championship in Salvador, Brazil, from 10 to 16 August 2025. All Photos: Satiro Sodré/CBDA
Photo 2 Caption: Defence was a critical element as SA scored their highest goal count and conceded the least, to beat Mexico in their final tie.
Photo 3 Caption: South Africa U20s started their Worlds campaign against Australia, who finished the tournament in ninth place.
Photo 4 Caption: Hannah Banks was named World Aquatics Player of the Match in their final outing, for morale-boosting win against Mexico.
