SPAR Baby Proteas Winning Streak Continues With Malawi and Fiji Victories

Karen Scheepers
Sep 25
2 min read

The SPAR Baby Proteas have stormed through the group stage of the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar, maintaining an unbeaten run with impressive victories over Malawi and Fiji. Their consistency, resilience, and attacking flair have secured a place in the quarterfinals, where they will now look to convert early momentum into a historic podium push.

African Supremacy Secured

On 23 September, the SPAR Baby Proteas underlined their dominance in African netball by overcoming rivals Malawi 64–33 in a fiercely contested Pool D match at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar. Both teams entered the clash unbeaten, but South Africa’s superior discipline and consistency gave them the edge in a physical encounter.

The Baby Proteas led 16–9 after the first quarter, but Malawi’s strong defensive effort made the second quarter a closer contest, with South Africa stretching their advantage to 29–19 by halftime. In the second half, the Proteas regrouped, improving their rhythm to secure the win with a decisive 20-goal margin.

Quarter-by-Quarter vs Malawi:

Q1: 16–09
Q2: 29–19
Q3: 44–27
Q4: 64–33

Final Group Match Against Fiji

On 24 September, South Africa completed the pool stage unbeaten with a convincing 86–35 win over Fiji. The Baby Proteas, who had already qualified for the quarterfinals, rotated their line-up to give opportunities to fresh players.

A sharp start saw them dominate the first quarter 23–5, before continuing their momentum into halftime with a 44–12 lead. In the third quarter, they overwhelmed Fiji with relentless pressure, extending the gap to 67–22. The final period was controlled with efficiency, securing their fourth straight victory.

Quarter-by-Quarter vs Fiji:

Q1: 23–05
Q2: 44–12
Q3: 67–22
Q4: 86–35

Quarterfinal Bound

With four wins from four, South Africa topped Pool D and advanced to the quarterfinals scheduled for 25 September at 19:00 CAT, where they will meet the Cook Islands, runners-up from Pool A.

The Baby Proteas will aim to surpass their best-ever World Youth Cup finish of fifth, with momentum and confidence firmly on their side.

Final Whistle

From outclassing Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago to grinding past Malawi and overpowering Fiji, the SPAR Baby Proteas have shown both flair and resilience. Now, as the competition intensifies in the knockout rounds, they will be tested against sharper opposition. The road to the podium begins with the Cook Islands clash, a defining step in their Gibraltar campaign.