Johannesburg will aim to make history when the SPAR National Netball Championships begin at Stellenberg High School in Cape Town, with the defending champions chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive senior title.
The tournament, which runs from 6 to 11 August, will bring together nearly 2,000 netball players from 110 teams across South Africa as they compete for national honours.
Johannesburg A coach Elsje Jordaan said defending the title becomes more challenging each year, especially with injuries affecting parts of her squad, but believes the team’s experience gives them an advantage.
“The spine of our team is still very experienced, and it’s the players that have been part of the four-year process. They understand what it takes to win,” said Jordaan.
Johannesburg captain Alex Meimaris acknowledged the pressure of chasing a fifth straight championship but said the team is excited about the opportunity.
“It’s quite something to be able to say that we are going for a fifth title. There is a lot of pressure, but at the same time, a lot of excitement,” said Meimaris.
Johannesburg will also defend their Under-21 title as they aim for a third consecutive championship. Former SPAR Proteas captain Bongi Msomi, who took over as coach in 2024, guided the team from finishing last in 2023 to winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.
Msomi said her focus remains on ensuring the team is prepared to compete at the highest level.
“I always want to assure myself and the team that we are ready and good enough to take it on and compete at that level,” she said.
Netball South Africa president Mami Diale said the championships play an important role in developing future national talent.
“This is the championship where we give players an opportunity to showcase their talent at the highest level and to be identified as national squad players,” said Diale.
The tournament will also feature teams from Botswana and Namibia in the senior A section. Although they will not compete for medals, Diale said their participation supports African unity ahead of the 2027 Netball World Cup.
Matches will begin at 08:00 on Thursday, with games taking place at Stellenberg High School and a nearby primary school over the six-day tournament.
