The Spar Proteas successfully defended their Africa Netball Cup crown with a commanding 56-34 victory over Uganda's She Cranes in the final in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Sunday, replicating last year’s championship showdown.

From the first centre pass, the fifth-ranked Proteas showcased their superiority over the sixth-ranked She Cranes. Goal shooter Elmeré van der Berg and goal attack Owethu Ngubane combined seamlessly with centre Tarle Mathe and wing attack Kamogelo Maseko, building an early 5-1 lead. South Africa’s precision in the attacking circle and strong aerial play left Uganda struggling to keep pace.

Defensively, Nicola Smith and Jamie van Wyk were instrumental, forcing turnovers, securing rebounds, and launching sharp exit passes. Mid-court dominance by Mathe and wing defence Refiloe Nketsa enabled rapid transitions, putting the Proteas 16-7 ahead by the first quarter and 27-16 at halftime.

The second half saw South Africa maintain their intensity and tactical control. Coach Jenny van Dyk rotated players effectively, with Sanmarie Visser, Kyla Dames, and Rolene Streutker contributing to sustained pressure. Van der Berg’s sharpshooting kept Uganda under constant threat, and the lead swelled to over 20 goals late in the match.

The Proteas closed out the final 56-34, retaining the Africa Netball Cup with authority. Zimbabwe claimed bronze, defeating hosts Malawi, while the Proteas Men also defended their title, beating Zimbabwe 40-29 earlier in the day.