The match ball from Australia’s 2023 Netball World Cup triumph has been transformed by legendary Ndebele artist Dr Gogo Esther Mnguni.
Pretoria, South Africa (03 September 2026) – Australia’s 2023 Netball World Cup winning ball has swapped the netball court for the art world, with a distinctly South African touch.
The match ball from Australia’s World Cup triumph has been transformed by legendary Ndebele artist Her Royal Highness Dr Gogo Esther Mnguni, giving the piece a whole new story to tell.
The result, known as the Art Ball, was unveiled by Australian High Commissioner Tegan Brink and will be on display at the Ditsong Museum in Pretoria for the next few months.
It’s an interesting meeting of two worlds: Australia’s success on the netball court and South Africa’s rich Ndebele artistic heritage.
The collaboration is also about more than simply giving a sporting memento a new look. Bringing sport and art together creates another way for people to connect, while introducing the stories and traditions of both countries to new audiences.
In 2027, Australia will welcome teams and supporters from around the world when it hosts the next Netball World Cup. This makes the Art Ball a fitting way to build a bridge between the two countries ahead of the tournament.
For now, the ball has a new home in Pretoria, where visitors can see how a piece of World Cup history has been reimagined through the bold and distinctive artistry of the Ndebele tradition.
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