Precious Mthembu reacts to 2025 Youth Netball World Cup draw

Mthembu was speaking to SABC Sport after South Africa was pitted against Barbados, Malawi, Fifi, Trinidad and Tobago in Pool D.

Mthembu adds that playing such teams with different styles of the game will demand them to come up with creative ways to match the standard.

“It’s definitely a tough group looking at all the teams in Pool D. A lot of work is ahead of us in terms of preparations. All four teams play a different style of netball which demands us to work on those styles thoroughly. We will have to break down with each game played to navigate through this group,’’ said Mthembu.

The Under-21 national team will also participate in the upcoming Spar National Championship as part of their preparations ahead of the World Cup in Gibraltar. Mthembu says they will use the tournament to gauge the players if they are mentally ready.

“The Spar National Champs will take place next week, I thought it was fitting that the squad compete in the competition to start the World Cup journey. It will be a platform for us to see players who are mentally ready, match ready and are World Cup standard. Other players will also be looked at and selected into the squad just to make sure no other players are left behind,’’ added Mthembu.

South Africa under 21 are current champions of the Africa World Cup qualifiers, and Mthembu believes that the final squad that will be selected will have to continue with the momentum from at the African Championships.

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“I have a lot of confidence in players who will be selected to represent the country and African continent. The same momentum built from the Africa qualifiers will have to continue even though the squad is not the same but the girls have confidence and belief of doing their best. I am grateful for Netball South Africa who is our support system allowing us to compete in different events such as the Spar Champs and TNL,’’ added Mthembu.

Mthembu also shared her ambitions as she leads the youth team in the world showpiece.

“My ideal and realistic achievement in the World Cup is to first tackle the pool and move on to the next group stages and we will take it from there. Also create the best memorable moments and lessons learnt with the girls as some will be knocking the door on being the future Spar Proteas,’’ she expressed.