Khanyisa Chawane proud to lead SPAR Proteas to Africa Cup crown

South Africa bagged the Africa Netball Cup title for the first time since 2021, as Chawana also earned the Player of the Tournament award. 

Having succeeded Bongiwe Msomi, the Proteas' most capped and successful player with 172 appearances, expressed her pride as they beat rivals Uganda 65-50 in the final.

"I'm really, really excited and happy, congratulations to the SPAR Proteas, we really worked hard this week," said Chawane.

"It was tough and I know it was in the back of our minds that having Uganda on our backs, and everything, so for us to actually come out victorious, I'm really proud of this team."

According to Chawane, defeating Uganda felt like lifting a weight off their shoulders, especially after previous losses to the East Africans in both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 World Cup fifth-place play-off in South Africa.

"It's something everyone talks about – if you speak about African netball, it's always like, 'Oh, Uganda can beat South Africa.' So it was just something we needed to get off our backs," she added.

Chawane also told SABC Sport that winning the Player of the Tournament award came as a surprise, as her primary goal was to secure the team prize.

"I was really not expecting it, I think my main focus was really for the team to do well, and for the team to get the monkey off our back, and actually just win the Africa Cup and be happy again, which is what happened.

"But getting the extra accolade, I must say I'm really proud of myself for having finished this year on a high, and it just puts a tip on my career and my title as the captain, leading by example, so I'm just really proud of myself and happy to be Player of the Tournament."

READ: Netball South Africa celebrates Proteas Africa Cup success