Johannesburg – The SPAR Proteas defeated England’s Vitality Roses 2-1 in the recent SPAR Challenge international netball test series at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, capping the victory with a major donation drive to combat period poverty.
The South African team secured the series win with a decisive 65-50 triumph in the final match on 1 February 2026, after taking the opener 52-48 and dropping the second 49-61.
Across the three-test series against England, the Proteas scored a total of 166 goals.
Under SPAR’s #EndPeriodPoverty campaign — tied to the retailer’s broader community upliftment efforts — the team pledged one pack of SPAR Petals sanitary pads for every goal scored by the Proteas.
An additional 20 bonus goals came from spectator activations during the event, bringing the total to 186 goals.
This translated into 1 860 packets of sanitary pads donated to the Ubuntu Social and Community Development Club’s 600 Project 2026 in Gauteng.
The initiative supports the club’s Bringing Back Dignity Sanitary Pads Campaign, which targets young girls in under-resourced communities.
Organisers note that many families prioritise uniforms, stationery, and transport at the start of the school year, often overlooking menstrual hygiene products.
As a result, girls frequently miss three to five days of school per month due to lack of access, leading to shame, anxiety, and academic setbacks.
The donation is expected to help 155 girls maintain consistent school attendance this year.
In a show of solidarity inspired by the campaign, Australia’s Kelpies men’s netball team — who competed in a separate three-match friendly series against the Protea Men’s Team at the same venue — pledged R10 per goal scored.
With 184 goals across their matches, they contributed R1 840 to the cause.
The series and donation highlight SPAR’s sponsorship of South African netball while linking sporting success to social impact on menstrual health and education access.
