SA men’s netball prepares for historic clash against Australian Kelpies

South Africa's men’s netball side, fresh off another successful campaign at the Africa Netball Cup, will be put to the test as they take on the visiting Australian national team.

South Africa and the Aussie Kelpies are set to face off in a three-test match series in the Spar Challenge, scheduled for 29 January, 31 January, and 1 February at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena.

Shiko Mokaila, head coach of the South African men's netball team, discussed the impact of facing the Kelpies as a platform for growing the sport in South Africa. 

“The answer is quite two-fold, in that we intend on building the brotherhood and the camaraderie, because the sport is quite new to everyone. It has existed, but there has not been any exposure. So for us, it is to actually speak to the world that we are here, and everyone needs to now start getting involved in male netball,” said Mokaila.

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Talking to Eyewitness News, Mokaila highlighted the tactical adjustments made to counter Australia's speed and aerial game.

“ think the boys (Proteas) are quicker. We were just getting a bit of structure as well, but focusing more on our game plan and what we want to actually achieve out of this. It is our first time facing the Australians. I think from our side and their side, we want to see what each other is going to offer.”

Mokaila retired from professional play in 2023 following the Africa Netball Cup in Botswana, ending a distinguished 15-year career at the highest level. He has since called for the development of age-group leagues to enhance the sport's growth.

Despite the current lack of official world rankings, he expressed excitement about the upcoming World Cup and the potential for men's netball to be included in the Olympics.

“I think we need to speak to the ecosystem of netball right now. We need to get age groups. So we are bringing the young boys in—under-13s, under-15s, under-19s. Currently, we only have one competition, which is the National Championships. We've got two divisions: under-23 and senior males. It’s unfortunate that you'll get a 16-year-old playing with a more seasoned senior player; it becomes a bit of a challenge."

Mokaila added: "However, if we move in a direction where age groups start playing together, we will see the development. Currently, World Netball does not have rankings for male netball, but with a coming World Cup that has been announced, everyone is excited. We’re going to start seeing more competition and more games, which is a step in the right direction. We want to see netball in the Olympics, and getting both genders playing is a factor in that. This is going to be good for the girls and for sponsorship as well.”

THE AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE

Australian coaching sensation Jane Woodlands-Thompson, head coach of the Australian Kelpies, also expressed her excitement to Eyewitness News. While South Africa has participated in the Men's Fast5 Netball World Series against Australia, the two nations have never met in the traditional netball format.

“We are very excited about the series. It's quite new to be playing internationally in the men's netball world. We've played New Zealand and England, and we've played in the Fast5, but we've never actually played any test matches against South Africa. So it'll be really exciting and interesting to play them over a full game in a three-game series,” said Woodlands-Thompson.

Woodlands-Thompson discussed the challenges of adapting strategies for the traditional test format, noting South Africa’s athletic and aerial style.

“That's what we're trying to find the ‘secret sauce’ for. We've watched as much video as we can—there's not a lot around—but we love their style. They're very flamboyant, very athletic, really fast, extremely fit, and very, very good in the air. It’s a different cadence. We’ll have to look carefully and not overrun things or go too fast for the pace of the game. We’re certainly going to have to get our jumping boots on."

She concluded: "We've worked hard and tried to replicate South Africa's style as best we can, but we won't know until we actually meet them for the first time.”

With over 16 years of experience coaching elite women's netball—including stints in the Trans-Tasman league and as an assistant for the Australian Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns—Woodlands-Thompson noted that the men's game offers a more physical and aerial challenge.

“I coached professionally for eight years... then got a phone call to come and help select the men's team and I've just fallen in love with it. I've been the men's coach ever since.”