Silver Ferns continued their dominance over the Spar Proteas with a 70-58, taking an unassailable 2-nil lead in a three-match series at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Napier, New Zealand, on Wednesday, 24 September 2025.
The win marked New Zealand’s 38th Test win against South Africa, in the history between the two nations.
Head Coach Jenny van Dyk made a couple of changes in her starting seven with the inclusion of Elmeré van der Berg, Tarle Mathe, and Jamie van Wyk from the team that started the opening match.
South Africa used their speed and quick passes to their advantage; the visitor enjoyed a two-point lead first before New Zealand could reply.
The game plan from the Proteas seemed to be yielding the desired results as they took control of the quarter; however, the Silver Ferns clawed their way back into the game, but time wasn’t on their side as SA took the first quarter 15-14. This was the first time in ten Tests that New Zealand lost a first quarter.
Silver Ferns kept their momentum in the second quarter and displayed their experience as they were very quick to get off the mark in an attempt to recover and get back in the game.
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The Proteas held their own as well and pushed as much as they could, but it was the home team who clinched the quarter 20-13 to go into half-time leading by 34-28.
The Championship quarter came with a few tired legs, and Coach van Dyk made a few changes, rotating the makeup of her team slightly, but by the end of the quarter, it was Silver Ferns who enjoyed a significant lead of 53-42 overall.
Despite the South Africans throwing everything that they had at New Zealand to try and regain the lead and level the series, it wasn’t meant to be as Silver Ferns enforced the win 70-58.
2025 Taimi Janison Trophy Fixtures
Sun, 21 Sep: New Zealand 77-51 South Africa (Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland)
Wed, 24 Sep: New Zealand 70-58 South Africa (Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier)
Sun, 28 Sep – 09:40: Third Test – New Zealand v South Africa (ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill)
Second Test Quarter Score Breakdown
Q1: South Africa 15-14 Silver Ferns
Q2: South Africa 28-34 Silver Ferns
Q3: South Africa 42-53 Silver Ferns
Q4: South Africa 58-70 Silver Ferns
Spar Proteas Starting VII for the Second 2025 Taimi Janison Trophy Test Match
GS – Elmeré van der Berg
GA – Kamogelo Maseko
WA – Khanyisa Chawane (c)
C – Tarle Mathe
WD – Shadine van der Merwe
GD – Jamie van Wyk
GK – Sanmarie Visser
Original Copy: Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: New Zealand’s Silver Ferns go two-nil up against the Spar Proteas despite a historic start by South Africa, taking the series title in Napier with a comfortable win before the final test match in Invercargill on Sunday. Photo: Netball New Zealand
