Netball Nations Cup 2025: England requires a triumph of the first tournament after the final victory over South Africa | Netball News
England won Vitality Netball Nations Cup for the first time after defeating South Africa in Sunday’s final.
The sixth time has been proven happy for the Vitality Roses since the Nations Cup/Quad series in 2012 after the last five last defeats.
After South Africa quickly launched the match at the end of the first quarter to run 15-12, Jess Thirlby responded impressively and asked for a 61-55 triumph to send the audience to the Bakar Box Arena in Rapture.
Thirlby had previously cast a surprise in her choice, leaving Captain Fran Williams on the bench – but that decision was avenged because Funmi Fadoj, a replacement in the defense of the goal, earned a player award for the match.
England moved forward for the first time in the match in the middle of the second quarter and was five points ahead of the final minutes of the third when South Africa sent its center after judging that the court made a deliberate contact.
But even though he dropped five minutes before the replacement could come, Proteasi gathered impressively during this period to close England lead to only three points until the end of the penultimate quarter.
But South Africa could not keep his return to the last quarter, and England withdrew to win with six points.
Last weekend, Vitality Roses ‘victory’ Avenges South Africa 61-59.
Earlier during the day, Uganda won the play third place, beating Malava 50-45.
England wins Netball Nations Cup: What did they say
Chief Coach Jess Thirlby telling Sky Sports:
“We really had to make that money.
“The real merit for South Africa. It has always been set as a great finale and this is the kind of match we need to be. Some of these girls have just earned their first pair of caps and have to improve themselves at halftime -finals yesterday and finally today is really comfortable .
“Sometimes it wasn’t nice, but we have to find joy in grinding and I thought we got along well with that.”
And Thirlby about the Williams bench decision:
“Fran and Funmi, what are you doing?
“You are such a talent. Obviously we explored Fran behind Funmi in the previous series and we had to give them both of a time in defense of the goal and Funmi had to earn a player in the match to make her captain on the field and we have beautiful options in that marital area and we can build on the next international season.
“But today Funmi was really worthy of it. Fran is a professional leader and she was just behind the side from the bench.”
Funmi Fadoja match player who speaks Sky Sports:
“I think these were just clear settings; we did each other instead and we knew exactly where to go, who was free and worked for each other. That worked really well.
“I feel like we were building ties in the last few series and it was always there, now he’s starting to show himself in court.
“So proud of that.”
Netball Nations Cup 2025 results
February 1 – South Africa 75-40 Uganda
February 1 – England 62-36 Malawi
2. February – Malawi 59-45 Uganda
2. February – England 59-61 South Africa
Semifinals
8. February – Malawi 55-58 South Africa
8. February – England 59-48 Uganda
Third place playoffs
9. February – Malawi 45-50 Uganda
Ultimate
9. February – South Africa 55-61 England
Look at the beginning of the remodeled Netball Super League campaign with a brand new super live on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports’ YouTube channel on March 8, from 11.30. No Sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream without a contract now.
