England secure semi-final clash with New Zealand after comeback win over South Africa at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
By Sanjay Suri
Updated 31/07/2026 at 09:09 GMT+1
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England came from behind to reach the netball semi-finals thanks to a brilliant 58-54 win over a spirited South Africa to set up a clash with New Zealand in a repeat of last edition's bronze-medal match.
Highlights: England crush Malawi to get back to winning ways
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Roses came out second-best after a high-quality first quarter as the Proteas managed to serve the ever-clinical Elmere van der Berg to race into a 17-11 lead.
Anna Stembridge made changes that paid dividends as Funmi Fadoju and Halimat Adio shored up the defence, with Adio in particular stepping in at crucial times to intercept and force turnovers.
Combined with Liv Tchine's clinical shooting, England reduced the arrears to just one point at the break, before moving ahead, assisted by Khanyise Chawane's injury, which disrupted South Africa's mid-court play.
Tchine linked up strongly with Lois Pearson, as the pair kept the points flowing to build a four-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Roses showed unity in the final quarter as they did not concede a turnover or miss a shot until the final minute, seeing out a crucial victory to reach the knockouts.
Re-live the match below through our play-by-play updates. Watch and stream every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across TNT Sports and all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.
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England into the semi-finals!
It looked a bit dicey after the first quarter, but England responded.
The changes at the back were instrumental, as Halimat Adio and Funmi Fadoju managed to stem the South African attack.
They will now face New Zealand in the first semi-final, hunting just their second final.
All over! England 58-54 South Africa
There's not going to be enough time for South Africa. England have seen this quarter out beautifully.
Liv Tchine scores again, as does Elmere van der Berg.
South Africa instigate a turnover, as does Halimat Adio!
And there is the buzzer!
Semi-final incoming
Q4: England 57-52 South Africa
Refiloe Nketsa clatters Jess Shaw, prompting a quick sweep of the court.
Liv Tchine wins another free shot, which Lois Pearson sinks.
England closing the game out
Q4: England 56-52 South Africa
Halimat Adio can't quite find the interception that would give England even more breathing room. As long as their attack keeps delivering, they won't need it.
Three minutes to go
Final change for South Africa
Q4: England 53-48 South Africa
Final changes for South Africa. Lois Pearson sinks another long shot.
Jamie van Wyk is back on.
England holding the gap
Q4: England 53-48 South Africa
Liv Tchine can't quite gather the ball and is fortunate to pick up a foul to keep the scoring streak going.
South Africa are doing their bit in attack, but need to reduce the gap at some point with six minutes remaining.
England giving South Africa nothing to work with
Q4: England 50-46 South Africa
South Africa are a little flat, despite the fact it is only a four-point deficit.
Lois Pearson is 14 from 14 tonight. She and Liv Tchine have formed a formidable partnership
Neither side giving an inch
Q4: England 48-43 South Africa
Another range shot from Lois Pearson provokes more big cheers from the crowd. Liv Tchine converts a far more simple. but equally important point to follow up either side of a South African goal.
Nobody has blinked yet in this quarter.
Changes for South Africa
Q4: England 45-41 South Africa
No changes for England. Liv Tchine picks up where she left off, while Nicola Smith has come back on at goal keeper.
South Africa essentially need at least two net turnovers.
Final quarter underway
Q4: England 43-39 South Africa
One last push. Can the Roses see this one out?
One team has never won a netball medal at the Commonwealth Games, the other has never missed out on the semi-finals.
End of third quarter!
Q3: England 43-39 South Africa
For the umpteenth time, Liv Tchine jumps highest before scoring with relative ease.
South Africa get away with a missed point as Sammy Nugbane gets a second chance to score a rare simple point.
They are finding some momentum towards the end of the quarter and cut the gap slightly.
And a late point means England's lead is cut to four with one quarter remaining.
South Africa missing Chawane
Q3: England 40-33 South Africa
The pressure is telling as Kamogelo Maseko sends a pass straight out into touch. They are missing Khanyise Chawane.
England get more back-to-back points to extend their lead.
South Africa steady themselves
Q3: England 37-33 South Africa
Elmere van der Berg gets the Proteas' second goal of the quarter. Can they do anything to calm the storm?
Fran Williams tibes Kamogelo Maseko a little nudge to the floor. At least South Africa are starting to score now.
England move further ahead
Q3: England 35-30 South Africa
In all that kerfuffle, it was another turnover from England. They pour forward once more and move four ahead.
South Africa cannot get a foothold in this match. Liv Tchine scores again.
Chawane off with injury
Q3: England 33-30 South Africa
Missed opportunity for South Africa buefore Khanyise Chawane goes down holding here hed. It looks like she got caught by Funmi Fadoju's hip.
A brief pause to check on Chawane, who cannot continue. It looks like Kamogelo Maseko is coming on.
England ahead!
Q3: England 33-30 South Africa
England now lead! They have the momentum and Halimat Adio steps in once more to intercept.
Liv Tchine makes it a two-point cushion, before England add another point!
England draw level!
Q3: England 30-30 South Africa
England have a go for an interception from Halimat Adio and again, it indirectly creates a South Africa error!
Liv Tchine to level... There it is! Listen to the roar from the Hydro!
Third quarter underway
Q2: England 28-29 South Africa
Just to remind you, the winner will face New Zealand in the semi-final. If it is a draw, which is looking increasingly likely, England will progress.
Here come the players for a pivotal third quarter. No changes for England, but Karla Pretorius is on for Nicola Smith.
Jones: 'demoralising' second quarter for Proteas as Roses recover from 'nervy start'
Nia Jones speaking to TNT Sports: "I think it was a nervy start. The only two mistakes England made were handling errors and you don't associate a Roses team with handling errors.
"But boy did they come through it. I think Stembridge leaving that attacking line-up out there just gave them the little bit of confidence that they needed.
"Credit to Stembridge for the changes made at quarter-time. Adio and Fadoju are really in the head of van der Berg.
"All in all, it's character that I really liked from the England team. For the Proteas, it is demoralising. Everything you have worked for to build that lead in quarter one is all gone."
Half time! England 28-29 South Africa
Halimat Adio defends well again. She thinks she has backed it up with a turnover but the whistle goes.
Can England strike before the buzzer. Yes they can!
Brilliant quarter for the Roses, they won that 17-12.
One minute until half-time
Q2: England 27-28 South Africa
It is still the case that South Africa are having to work harder for their points. Crucially for the Proteas, they are still scoring.
Liv Tchine misses, but is there to score at the second time of asking. One minute to go.
Still just one point
Q2: England 25-26 South Africa
Can England force one more error out of South Africa to draw level? Imogen Allison is moving well on the bench so she will be able to play a further part in this contest.
A bold pass from England does not quite come off as Nichola Smith gets there first, but the Roses recycle and eventually score.
England close gap again
Q2: England 22-23 South Africa
Crucial interception for England! The defensive changes have paid dividends.
Can the Roses back it up with a point or two? There's one, and it will be England's ball.
But South Africa get a turnover. However, Halimat Adio gets the reward for a bold interception attempt as Khanyise Elaine Chawane fumbles the ball.
Liv Tchine makes it just one point.
Neither team blinking
Q2: England 20-23 South Africa
The game continues and South Africa finish their attack. Liv Tchine has been the right call at goal shooter so far, barely missing and dropping into play nicely too.
England have the two-point advantage so far this quarter. Lois Pearson is making the long shots look effortless.
Allison down with ankle injury
Q2: England 17-20 South Africa
Lois Pearson keeps her cool to reduce the arrears to four. She does so again and it's down to three. England have the momentum.
This is not a good sign as Imogen Allison is down holding her ankle. Amy Carter will come back on as Allison limps off. She might be alright to come back later.
Positive signs for England?
Q2: England 15-20 South Africa
Halimat Adio makes a strong interception, but the deflection goes out of play.
Both teams are scoring with every attack, but South Africa are having to work a lot harder for their points.
A big rebound falls Adio's way!
South African attack relentless
Q2: England 13-19 South Africa
The Roses get the quarter off to the perfect start. Can they back it up with strong defence?
Not yet. Funmi Fadoju is also on at goal keeper. So far it has been too easy for South Africa in attack.
Second quarter underway
Q2: England 11-17 South Africa
England have made changes for the second quarter, as Halimat Adio comes on.
End of first quarter
Q1: England 11-17 South Africa
Vital point from Liv Tchine with seconds remaining. Crucially, Jayda Pechova prevents South Africa going up the other end and scoring.
Still very much South Africa's quarter and England have work to do.
Another turnover for the Proteas
Q1: England 10-17 South Africa
Lois Pearson remains strong with her range shooting. However, Elmere van der Berg is keeping things tidy at the other end for the Proteas.
South Africa force another turnover. Van der Berg scores at the second attempt and this is getting away from England.
More trouble for England
Q1: England 9-13 South Africa
Liv Tchine is keeping England in the match at the other end, delivering whenever needed.
However, Tchine misses from range and that hands South Africa to go four ahead if they can turn this attack into a point.
They can, and England are starting to find themselves in trouble.
Rare error from van der Berg
Q1: England 8-11 South Africa
Jayda Pechova works hard but it is in vain as South Africa still eventually score. Elmere van der Berg takes a very wild shot which sails well over.
She's fortunate to get a chance to redeem and takes it.
She's fortunate to get a chance to redeem and takes it.
England force turnover
Q1: England 7-8 South Africa
Big cheers around the Hydro as England get their first turnover of the match. Can they convert it into a point.
Yes they can! Lois Pearson from range.
However, a loose pass from Amy Carter undos all that good work and South Africa have the ball again.
Game of few errors
Q1: England 6-8 South Africa
Liv Tchine drops out of the shooting circle to great effect and keeps possession. Eventually she picks it back up in her more natural position and scores.
So far, so good for South Africa. It has been a game of few errors, but that one error has come from the Roses.
Advantage South Africa
Q1: England 4-6 South Africa
There's the first error! But Liv Tchine gets away with not gathering the ball cleanly as there was contact. Lois Pearson eventually levels up.
The long balls towards Elmere van der Berg have paid off so far for South Africa. The Proteas force a turnover and that is the first momentum swing of the match, backed up by van der Berg's shooting!
Neither side missing in attack
Q1: England 3-4 South Africa
Liv Tchine is warranting her selection choice at goal shooter so far. Neither side has put a foot wrong yet.
Who will blink first?
Both sides settle nerves
Q1: England 1-2 South Africa
Big cheers as South Africa convert their first attack through Elmere van der Berg.
Liv Tchine does well to hold onto a loose pass and finds the net too. That will settle the nerves of both sides.
First quarter underway!
Q1: England 0-0 South Africa
Here come the players! South Africa followed by England.
Will the Roses reach the semi-finals? Or will the Proteas have their say?
South Africa get us started!
The teams
England
GK: Jayda Pechova
GD: Fran Williams
WD: Imogen Allison
C: Amy Carter
WA: Jess Shaw
GA: Lois Pearson
GS: Liv Tchine
South Africa
GK: Nicola Smith
GD: Sanmarie Louise Visser
WD: Jamie van Wyk
C: Tarle Nikkita Mathe
WA: Khanyise Elaine Chawane
GA: Sammy Ngubane
GS: Elmere van der Berg
Who will reach semi-final?
So it has come down to this.
The permutations are simple: win the match, and you will face New Zealand in the semi-final. In the unlikely (but plausible) event of a draw, England will progress with a superior points difference.
Little has separated these two teams in Glasgow so far, so it really is all up for grabs.
Welcome
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of this blockbuster netball clash as England face South Africa, with both sides looking to bag the last semi-final spot remaining.
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