England mounted a spirited comeback to defeat South Africa 58‑54, earning a place in the netball semi‑finals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Both teams entered the match knowing a win was essential to stay alive in the tournament, and England managed to overturn an early 17‑11 first‑quarter deficit, keeping alive their ambition of capturing a second Commonwealth gold medal. The Vitality Roses now await a clash with New Zealand in the second semi‑final scheduled for Saturday, while Australia will take on Jamaica in the other semi‑final. The outcomes of those two matches will set the stage for the gold‑ and bronze‑medal contests on Sunday.
Captain Francesca Williams praised the performance of her teammate Halimat Adio in a post‑match interview with TNT Sports, saying, "Shout out to Halimat Adio. She was unreal in that second quarter.
So proud of her to bring us that energy and get us back in the game when we needed it." Williams added that the team had been under intense scrutiny throughout the week and that finishing the match strong, “goal for goal in the last quarter,” made her especially proud. The opening period was tense for England. South Africa’s goal shooter, Elmere van der Berg, exploded out of the blocks, converting 16 of her 19 attempts and quickly silencing the crowd at the OVO Hydro.
England’s early nerves showed, and they trailed by six points after the first quarter. A turning point arrived when England introduced Halimat Adio and Funmi Fadoju. Their presence tightened the Rose’s defensive structure, shifting the momentum. The Roses clawed back steadily, narrowing the gap to just one point, 29‑28, at the half‑time break.
The third quarter saw England seize the initiative. A burst of five unanswered goals propelled them to a 35‑30 lead, and they carried a 45‑41 advantage into the final period.
Throughout the closing minutes, England displayed composure, with Olivia Tchine and Lois Pearson maintaining poise in the attacking circle. Their steady shooting helped preserve the four‑point margin as the clock wound down, securing the win for Anna Stembridge’s side.
Stembridge’s appointment as head coach came only four months before the Games, following Jess Thirlby’s resignation. Despite the short preparation time, Stembridge has guided the team to a semi‑final berth, demonstrating tactical acumen and the ability to motivate her players under pressure.
Netball has been a fixture of the Commonwealth Games since its debut in 1998, yet England has never captured a medal when the sport has been contested on home soil. This achievement marks a significant step toward breaking that pattern, and the upcoming semi‑final against New Zealand offers a chance to rewrite the nation’s Commonwealth netball history. The schedule for the concluding days of the tournament is as follows: Saturday, 1 August – 9:00 am: New Zealand vs England (Semi‑final 1) Saturday, 1 August – 1:00 pm: Australia vs Jamaica (Semi‑final 2) Sunday, 2 August – 9:00 am: Bronze‑medal match Sunday, 2 August – 1:00 pm: Gold‑medal match Fans can follow live coverage on Sky Sports, catch highlights and analysis on the Off the Court podcast, or watch video recaps via the Sky Sports app. England’s comeback victory not only showcases the team’s resilience but also sets up an exciting showdown with a formidable New Zealand side, promising a thrilling conclusion to the Commonwealth Games netball competition.