South Africa is set to make its mark in the 2025 Netball Super League (NSL 2.0), featuring seven of its top netball players in a newly restructured competition. This initiative aims to establish a professional framework for sport in the UK.
The upcoming season will see a reduction in the number of teams from ten to eight, with notable absences including Strathclyde Sirens and Severn Stars, which previously hosted players like Owethu Ngubane, Sigi Burger, and Lefebre Rademan.
In 2024, South Africa had a record nine players competing in the NSL, marking the highest participation in a single season. While some athletes have secured contracts in the new league, others, including Ngubane, Rademan, and Ine-Marí Venter, will miss out.
Venter’s exclusion is particularly surprising given her performance; she finished as the seventh top goal scorer with 550 goals last season while playing for the rebranded London Mavericks.
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Ngubane also had a commendable debut season, scoring 463 goals in 18 matches for the Sirens, and her experience in the NSL will benefit the Spar Proteas as they prepare for future competitions.
Key Players to Watch
- Khanyisa Chawane – Cardiff Dragons: The Proteas captain returns for her second season with the Dragons, where she previously helped the team secure six wins from 20 matches. Chawane was also among the top ten for circle feeds last season.
- Shadine van der Merwe – Loughborough Lightning: After a successful stint with Manchester Thunder, where she was a key player and vice-captain, van der Merwe moves to Loughborough Lightning, aiming to make an even greater impact.
- Nicholé Breedt – London Pulse: Breedt had an impressive debut season, scoring 119 goals in seven appearances, helping her team finish third and reach the Grand Final semi-finals.
- Rolene Streutker – Nottingham Forest: Streutker transitions to the UK from Melbourne Mavericks and aims to make her mark in her first season.
- Elmere van der Berg – Manchester Thunder: In her debut season, van der Berg reached the Grand Final and finished as one of the top ten goal scorers with 570 goals.
- Nicola Smith – Manchester Thunder: Smith joins the Thunder after a strong season with Loughborough Lightning, where she excelled in intercepts and gains.
- Sigi Burger – Birmingham Panthers: Burger, now with the newly launched Panthers, looks to leverage her extensive NSL experience to make a significant impact in the new squad.
As the NSL 2.0 season approaches, the anticipation builds for these athletes to showcase their talent on the court and elevate South Africa’s presence in international netball.
