South Africa’s (SA) national men’s netball side, the Protea Warriors, stepped up their title defense preparations with a convincing 42-31 win against host nation eSwatini at the Mavuso Sport Emporium in Manzini.
The friendly gave the technical team a final chance to test combinations ahead of the 2026 African Championship, which gets underway in Nairobi, Kenya, on September 19. Netball SA has named a 15-player squad tasked with keeping the continental crown in the country.
Speaking after the match, Protea Warriors goal shooter Lutendo Maiwashe highlighted the importance of getting game time together as a unit, noting that eSwatini will also be their opening opponent in Nairobi.
“I think it was important to play that game because we are playing Swaziland in our first game and that game helped us kow where we stand in terms of fitness, combinations and connections as players,” Maiwashe said. “We don’t play for the same clubs. It showed us if we are gelling together and it gave the coaches options to see eh can play where and who plays better with who.”
Maiwashe expressed full confidence in the squad selected for the Kenyan tour, pointing to a strong balance within the setup.
“I think we have a geat team this yar. A mixture of talent and experience,” Maiwashe added. “These are players who have been hungry for some time to be on court and represent their county. I think everyone is ready to go out there and bring the trophy back home.”
–ChannelAfrica–
