England have won the Vitality Netball Nations Cup for the first time after beating South Africa in Sunday’s final.
It proved sixth time lucky for the Vitality Roses since the Nations Cup/Quad Series was established in 2012 after five previous final defeats.
After South Africa had made a fast start in the match to lead 15-12 at the end of the first quarter, Jess Thirlby’s side fought back impressively and claimed a 61-55 triumph to send the crowd at Copper Box Arena into raptures.
Thirlby had earlier thrown a surprise in her selection by leaving captain Fran Williams on the bench – but that decision was vindicated as Funmi Fadoju, the replacement in goal defence, earned the player of the match award.
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England lift the trophy after winning the Vitality Netball Nations Cup, beating South Africa in the final.
England moved ahead for the first time in the match mid-way through the second quarter and were five points ahead into the closing minutes of the third when South Africa had their centre sent off after being judged by the umpire to have made intentional contact.
But despite being down to six players for five minutes before a replacement could come on, the Proteas impressively rallied during this period to close down England’s lead to just three points by the end of the penultimate quarter.
But South Africa could not maintain the comeback into the final quarter and England pulled away to win by six points.
The Vitality Roses’ win avenges South Africa’s 61-59 group-stage triumph last weekend.
Earlier in the day Uganda won the third-place playoff match, beating Malawi 50-45.
Olivia Tchine impressed in the final and the goal shooter was named player of the series
England win the Netball Nations Cup: What they said
Head coach Jess Thirlby speaking to Sky Sports:
“We really had to earn that.
“Real credit to South Africa. It was always set up to be a brilliant final and it’s the type of match we need to be in. Some of these girls have just earned their first couple of caps and to have to front up in the semi-final yesterday and final today is really pleasing.
“It wasn’t pretty at times, but we’ve got to find joy in the grind and I thought we did well with that.”
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Reaction from England’s Funmi Fadoju and head coach Jess Thirlby after they won the Vitality Netball Nations Cup beating South Africa in the final
And Thirlby on the decision to bench Williams:
“Fran and Funmi, what do you do?
“You’ve just such talent there. We’ve obviously explored Fran behind Funmi in previous series and we needed to give them both some time in goal defence and Funmi had to earn a player of the match to keep her captain off the court and we’ve got lovely options in that defending end and we can build on next international season.
“But today Funmi was really worthy of that. Fran is an expert leader and she was right behind the side from the bench.”
Player of the match Funmi Fadoju speaking to Sky Sports:
“I think it was just clear set-ups; we were working to each other’s strengths instead and we knew exactly where to go, who was free and we worked for each other. It worked really well.
“I feel like we’ve been building connections the last couple of series and it’s always been there, it’s now starting to show on court now.
“So proud of the team.”
The Vitality Roses celebrate after beating South Africa by six points in the final
Netball Nations Cup 2025 Results
February 1 – South Africa 75-40 Uganda
February 1 – England 62-36 Malawi
February 2 – Malawi 59-45 Uganda
February 2 – England 59-61 South Africa
Semi-finals
February 8 – Malawi 55-58 South Africa
February 8 – England 59-48 Uganda
Third-place playoff
February 9 – Malawi 45-50 Uganda
Final
February 9 – South Africa 55-61 England
Watch the start of the revamped Netball Super League campaign with the brand new Super Cup live on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports’ YouTube channel on March 8, from 11.30am. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
