The fourth-ranked team globally, England, faced off against the fifth-ranked country, South Africa, in a battle for the Vitality Roses 2025 championship.
The two teams met in the group stages, where the SPAR Proteas of South Africa emerged victorious over the Vitality Roses (61-59).
Finals Game
The Vitality Roses battled in front of a filled home arena at the Copper Box Arena in London in a thrilling matchup against the SPAR Proteas. South Africa dominated the first quarter and led going into the break with a 15-12 score. However, coming into the second quarter, England was determined to turn the tables around and ended the second quarter with a 30-28. Both teams were determined to win the tournament for the first time as they appeared in the finals for the first time. In the third quarter, South Africa was challenged by an attacking England that extended its lead by six points.
It was at a disadvantage when one of their players, Refiloe Nketsa, was sent off the court for dangerous play. South Africa tied the game in the third quarter at 46-46, but England tore away to win by six points, 61-55. This was the first time the Vitality Roses won the championship at the Vitality Roses Nations Cup games. Funmi Fadoju was named the player of the game.
Third Place Uganda
The Uganda SheCranes had a tough time throughout the group stages, losing all their games and the semifinal game. The Malawi Queens ranked seventh place below Uganda, had a chance to secure another win and make it two wins against the SheCranes since 2019. The Uganda side faced Malawi Queens in the third-place game. The Queens had earlier beaten the SheCranes (59-45), and this was a tough situation for the Cranes as they would have to exit the tournament with no win. However, the Ugandan side surprised the Malawian team, coming in strong to secure a five-point win 50-45.
The Ugandan side started from behind in the first quarter at 14-11 but recovered to lead by three by the half, 26-23. The chase was close by the end of the third quarter at 37-38. Uganda maintained the close chase but gave Malawi no chance to lead at any one time.
Ugandan shooter Mary Nuba Cholhok was named the best player of the match.
Vitality Nations Cup
The England Vitality Roses, hosts for the tournament, emerged victorious after a decade since the tournament started. This year’s tournament was played over two weekends, with the games taking place on the first and second of February at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and the games on the eighth and ninth at the CopperBox Arena.
South Africa settled for second place (silver), Uganda in third place (bronze) and Malawi in fourth place.
