NETBALl Jamaica (NJ) first vice-president Simone Forbes says the Sunshine Girls’ three-Test series at home against South Africa in January forms a crucial part of their developmental plans for the 2027 Netball World Cup.

The series will be held at National Indoor Sports Centre from January 18-25.

Forbes, a former national player, says several of the country’s top young players will be given an opportunity to prove themselves to the coaching staff and NJ selectors as they build for the 2027 tournament which will be held in Sydney, Australia.

“This is a four-year cycle, and so even if our top players are available, the coach might be looking at giving opportunities to younger players to see how they could fit in — because remember that the world cup is three years away, and anything can happen between now and then,” Forbes said.

“We don’t know what the coach and selectors will be doing in terms of the South Africa series in January but I know there are some youngsters that they will be looking at over this international window to see how best they can fit and take charge of the programme as we look to the future.”

Before this series in January the Jamaicans will face rivals England Roses in a four-match home-and-away series in November. The Sunshine Girls will travel to England for the first two matches, scheduled for November 16 and 17, with the return games taking place at National Indoor Sports Centre in Jamaica on November 25 and 26.

The Sunshine Girls and the Roses are both tied on 187 rating points but England rank third, one spot above the Sunshine Girls, due to having played eight more international matches. South Africa are currently ranked fifth in the world. These matches will also mark the first games in charge for newly appointed Head Coach Sasher-Gay Henry.

Forbes says the South Africa series is just as critical as the one against England, and the Sunshine Girls are determined to put on an excellent showing in both series.

“This series is just as important and crucial for the Sunshine Girls as the one against England. As you know, South Africa are ranked fifth in the world and England are ranked third, and so we are sandwiched by these two teams at number four in the world, with ranking points at stake,” she said.

“In addition to the ranking points, in this world cup cycle it is the goal of Netball Jamaica to secure enough international matches to prepare the team. This allows the coach to assess areas that need improvement, where we may need more players, and gauge the team’s progress before the 2027 World Championships and the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Forbes noted.

“These matches are just a stop on that journey, and given that the coach took up the mantle earlier this year and we also want to showcase the girls here in front of their home fans, this series is a great way to do that.”

Also, the national Under-21 team will take on their South African counterparts in a three-match series during South Africa’s tour of Jamaica in January.