from MAVHUTO BANDA in Lilongwe, Malawi
Malawi Bureau
LILONGWE, (CAJ News) – AFRICA has cemented its reputation as a rising powerhouse in global netball after seven of its national teams secured spots in the latest top 20 world rankings released this week by World Netball.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in particular continues to dominate, underlining the continent’s growing influence in a sport long dominated by Commonwealth heavyweights such as Australia, New Zealand, England, and Jamaica.
According to the new data, South Africa leads the African charge, followed closely by Uganda and Malawi, with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana also among the elite.
This strong representation reflects years of progress in grassroots development, international exposure, and competitive participation in global tournaments.
World Netball explained that the ranking system is based on points accrued from matches won, drawn, or lost, with extra weight given to victories against higher-ranked opponents.
“The higher an opponent’s rating, the more points are earned for beating them,” World Netball noted in its statement.
African Netball on the Rise
South Africa, ranked fifth in the world, remains the continent’s flagship team. Known as the Spar Proteas, they are regular competitors at the Netball World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
Their fourth-place finish at the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool was widely hailed as a breakthrough moment for African netball, proving that the gap between Africa and traditional giants is closing.
Uganda’s She Cranes have also emerged as a continental force, consistently challenging higher-ranked nations and thrilling fans with their dynamic style of play.
Malawi’s Queens are equally formidable, having shocked England in past international fixtures and maintaining a reputation as one of the sport’s most unpredictable and entertaining teams.
Zimbabwe’s Gems, who made their World Cup debut in 2019, have since captured global attention with their spirited performances, while Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana continue to show steady growth through regional competitions such as the Africa Netball Cup.
Global Picture
Despite Africa’s surge, traditional powerhouses still top the table. Australia remains the undisputed number one, followed by New Zealand, Jamaica, and England. Wales, Tonga, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Samoa, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Fiji, and Barbados make up the other non-African teams in the top 20.
The balance of power in netball, however, is shifting. Africa’s expanding footprint signals the sport’s diversification and the success of investment into training, infrastructure, and talent identification across the continent.
The Road Ahead
With the 2027 Netball World Cup scheduled to be hosted in Sydney, African teams are expected to play an increasingly central role in shaping the tournament’s narrative.
Analysts predict that with further support and investment, it may not be long before an African team breaks into the global top three.
For now, Africa can celebrate its achievement of having more than a third of the world’s top 20 teams—an accomplishment that underscores the continent’s growing importance in international sport.
World’s Top 20 Netball Teams
Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, England, South Africa, Wales, Uganda, Malawi, Tonga, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe, Samoa, Namibia, Zambia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Fiji, Barbados and Botswana.
– CAJ News