SA women's water polo side avoid wooden spoon at Aquatics Championships
Playing at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, the South African women's side were drawn in Group D alongside Spain, Great Britain and France.
In their opening match, the South African side lost 23-4 (score by quarters: 9-1, 5-0, 4-2, 5-1) to Spain.
That was followed by a 12-3 defeat against Great Britain (score by quarters: 5-0, 2-2, 4-1, 1-0) and a 13-6 loss to France (score by quarters: 4-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-0).
South Africa finished bottom of the group, scoring just 13 goals while conceding 48.
The South African women's side then entered the 13th-16th place bracket where they lost 16-6 against Croatia.
They then enjoyed their only success of the tournament in beating Singapore 8-4 (score by quarters: 3-0, 2-3, 2-1, 1-0) in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
All-told, the South African women's side played five matches, lost four, won one, scored 27 goals and conceded 68 for an average loss of 14-5.
Meanwhile, the South African men's side were drawn in Group A alongside Italy, Serbia and Romania.
In their opening match, South Africa lost 27-3 (score by quarters: 8-0, 6-3, 4-0, 9-0) to Serbia.
They followed that up with a 24-5 loss against Romania (score by quarters: 8-0, 3-1, 7-3, 6-1).
In their final group stage match, the South African men's side were humbled 28-4 by Italy (score by quarters: 6-1, 9-0, 8-1, 5-2).
South Africa finished bottom of the group, scoring just 12 goals while conceding 79.
The South African men's side then entered the 13th-16th place bracket where they were outclassed 27-4 (score by quarters: 5-1, 10-1, 9-2, 3-0) by Australia.
That defeat saw them contest the 15th-16th place playoff where they fell short 14-13 (score by quarters: 7-2, 3-4, 3-3, 1-4) against hosts Singapore.
All-told, the South African men's side played five matches, lost all five, scored 29 goals and conceded 120 for an average loss of 24-6.
Hopefully Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie has a plan up his sleeve to turn around South Africa's water polo fortunes in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
3 minutes ago
- The South African
All the kick off times for start of new football season
The wait is nearly over as the local football season gets set to kick off this weekend with the traditional 'league curtain raiser' of the MTN8 quarter-finals. A week later, the Betway Premiership will begin, and so there is plenty for local football fans to look forward to as an action-packed season gets into full swing once again. Orlando Pirates last year became the first club to win the top eight title three years in a row, and the Buccaneers are now set to kick off their title defence against Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 2 August, at 15:00. Later on Saturday, Sekhukhune United will take on TS Galaxy at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane (kick off at 18:00). Th two other MTN8 quarter-finals will played on Sunday, 3 August, as last year's runners-up Stellenbosch host AmaZulu at the Cape Town Stadium (15:00) before Mamelodi Sundowns take on Richards Bay (18:00). Saturday, 2 August Orlando Pirates v Polokwane City (15:00) Sekhukhune United v TS Galaxy (18:00) Sunday, 3 August Stellenbosch v AmaZulu (15:00) Mamelodi Sundowns v Richards Bay (18:00) Next weekend, the new Betway Premiership campaign will get under way as Mamelodi Sundowns aim to defend their title for a ninth season in a row. Opening Weekend Saturday, 9 August Chippa United v Mamelodi Sundowns AmaZulu FC v Orbit College Polokwane City v Magesi Richards Bay v Marumo Gallants Orlando Pirates v Sekhukhune United Siwelele FC v Golden Arrows Sunday, 10 August TS Galaxy v Durban City Stellenbosch FC v Kaizer Chiefs Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
33 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Motau calls for patience after Banyana's poor showing at WAFCON
'I think the way this tournament has gone is a testament to where the team," said Motau. Following Banyana Banyana's failure to defend their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, co-captain Amogelang Motau has called for patience, saying the new players are trying to find their feet. Banyana lost 2-1 to Nigeria in the semifinals, and they had to settle for a fourth-place finish after going down 4-3 on penalties to Ghana in the bronze medal match last Friday. The game was decided on penalties after the sides were deadlocked at 1-1 in regulation time at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. ALSO READ: No complaints from Ellis in Banyana defeat to Ghana The fourth-place finish was their worst since Desiree Ellis took charge of the team, having lost in the final in the 2018 edition before winning it in 2022. Following their poor showing in Morocco, Banyana have come under scrutiny from the South African football followers and the media, with some even calling for Ellis's sacking. 'Banyana will do better in March' Motau insists that the new crop of players needs time to gel. 'I think the way this tournament has gone is a testament to where the team is. Again, we're going through a transition, some players are retiring like Jermaine, and again, some people need to step up and take the positions of the players that have stepped up for this team for such a long time,' Motau told SAFA media. Motau says the team has changed Motau added that people should take note of the fact that the composition of the team has changed from the side that lifted a maiden WAFCON trophy in 2022. 'We must also remember that even the team that won it in 2022 were together for such a long time, and I think with the upcoming players, we're going to need time. I know that time is something we don't have at the national team, but we're going to need time to play together. I think that right now, the tournament went the way it went, but again, we have an opportunity in March to show up. And I think this tournament also showed us where we are and where the other teams are. This gives us time to prepare for the main ones so that we can qualify for the World Cup.' 'The new players have potential' 'I'll go back to the fact that it's a transition, so you need time for different combinations so that we can establish the chemistry of the players that were able to qualify for the World Cup and play in the World Cup. These are the players that have been playing together for more than six years, and we are talking about the likes of Fifi (Refiloe Jane) and Linda (Motlhalo). When I came into the midfield I almost felt like I was so lost because the two of them had so much chemistry, but with time I'm also getting there. I think with the group of players that are here, we have shown that they have potential and they're willing to get there. So, for me it's just more games together and more camps together and I think things will come together, we just need to be patient,' concluded Motau. ALSO READ: England hero Kelly overcomes 'dark moments' on way to Euro 2025 glory Banyana are expected to arrive in South Africa tonight after leaving Morocco on Sunday afternoon.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates: full list of players released
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have been the busiest teams during the transfer window, having made close to 20 new signings combined. For Amakhosi, this coming season is a redemption arc after failing to finish in the top 8 for the second consecutive time. Despite claiming the Nedbank Cup, Nasreddine Nabi is desperate to change the club's fortunes in his second season at the club. So far, Kaizer Chiefs have signed six players which are: Ethan Chislett (Port Vale), Nkanyiso Shinga (FC Alverca), Flavio Silva (Persebaya Surabaya), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), and Siphesihle Ndlovu (SuperSport United). Players who have been released are: Mduduzi Mdantsane, Edson Castillo, Edmilson Dove, Njabulo Blom, Sabelo Radebe, Ranga Chivaviro. Yusuf Maart was sold to a club in Austria. Orlando Pirates on the other hand, have brought in a new coach and 11 players. Here are the new signings: Sipho Mbule (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yanela Mbuthuma (from Richards Bay), Masindi Nemtajela (Marumo Gallants), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Nkosikhona Ndaba (Richards Bay), Abdoulaye S Mariko (Djoliba AC), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Tshepo Mashiloane (Baroka), Sihle Nduli (Stellenbosch), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Kamogelo Sebelebele (TS Galaxy). Players that have since left are Innocent Maela, Miguel Timm, Paseka Mako (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Phillip Ndlondlo, Monnapule Saleng (Orbit College), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq), Azola Tshobeni (Chippa United), and Zakhele Lepasa (Unattached). Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
