Australia held their ground despite a concerted challenge from South Africa, the reigning world champs retaining their dominance with a 67-40 victory over the Spar Proteas in Bendigo, Australia, on Wednesday, 8 October 2025.
Australia clinched the three-match series with a thumping victory over the Proteas. South Africa made some costly mistakes that allowed the Diamonds to win the match 67-40 on Wednesday, 8 October 2025.
South Africa came into the second game of the three-match series with the understanding that they needed to win today in order to level the series ahead of the final match. Head Coach Jenny van Dyk made a few changes to her starting line up with the likes of Refiloe Nketsa, Nichole Breedt and Sanmarie Visser getting starts.
“I am really disappointed with our game today, no excuses will be made if anything, full accountability is what is needed. The work that we have put in a a team over the past couple of weeks doesn’t justify the performance that we showed today, everyone will be disappointed.”
Spar Proteas Head Coach Jenny van Dyk
South Africa wanted to use their speed to catch the Aussie Diamonds off guard, however the hosts were well aware of this plan and were quick to counter it. Tarle Mathe was brought into game half way through the first quarter so she can marshal the mid-court.
Errors by the Proteas did not help their cause as the Aussie Diamonds took the quarter 18 – 11. In the second quarter, the Aussie Diamonds continued where they left off at the end of the first quarter – they were putting the South Africa under enormous pressure and forcing them into unforced errors. Australia continued piling the goals on the other end and took the quarter 14 – 11 and had an overall lead of 32 – 22 at half time.
Kamogelo Maseko replaced captain Khanyisa Chawane just before half time and in the championship quarter, van Dyk introduced Rolene Streutker and Owethu Ngubane in attack to replace Breedt and van der Berg.
Australia exerted more pressure and displayed their experience in this quarter. They continued to dominate the game and extended their lead 50-30. Élmere van der Berg, who had been rested, took to court in the last quarter in an attempt to reduce Australian lead, however this was not the case as world champs stood their ground – they continued to pile on the pressure on Proteas and did not allow them to execute their own game plan.
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At the end of the 60 minutes, it was the Diamonds that took the match to clinch the series.
“There will always be ups and downs, if you’re going to be played number one and two in the world, then you need to brace yourself because they are definitely not waiting for South Africa to catch up and allowing us to just take what they have worked hard for over the years,” said Coach Van Dyk.
“The Aussies were just dominating in every department, lesson for us is to be always prepared, and understand what it means to talk a big game, and play one.”
2025 Australia vs South Africa 3-Test Series Fixtures and Results
Sat, 4 Oct: Australia 64-53 South Africa (Red Energy Stadium, Bendigo)
Wed, 8 Oct: Australia 67-40 South Africa (Wollongong Entertainment Centre, Wollongong)
Sun, 12 Oct, 07:30: Australia vs South Africa (Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide)
Second Test Quarter Score Breakdown
Q1: South Africa 11-18 Australia
Q2: South Africa 22-32 Australia
Q3: South Africa 30-50 Australia
Q4: South Africa 40-67 Australia
Spar Proteas Starting VII for the Second Test Match
GS – Élmere van der Berg
GA – Nichole Breedt
WA – Khanyisa Chawane (c)
C – Refiloe Nketsa
WD – Shadine van der Merwe
GD – Sanmarie Visser
GK – Nicola Smith
Shooting Stats
Élmere van der Berg 23/28 (82%)
Nichole Breedt 4/8 (50%)
Owethu Ngubane 4/5 (80%)
Rolene Streutker 9/11 (82%)
Original Copy: Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Australia clinched the three-match series with a thumping victory over the Spar Proteas. South Africa made some costly mistakes that allowed the Diamonds to win the match 67-40 on Wednesday, 8 October 2025. All Photos: Lauren Morgan/Netball Australia
Photo 2 Caption: Élmere van der Berg was South Africa’s best shooter for a second match running, scoring 23 goals off 28 shots for a 82% success rate.
Photo 3 Caption: Wing Defence Shadine van der Merwe pictured in action for South Africa, who have a third match to try to secure that elusive win against the powerful Australians.
