After finishing as the competition’s leading scorer, the Proteas shooter played a key role in Adelaide Thunderbirds’ title-winning campaign and thanked South Africans for backing her from afar.
Adelaide, Australia (08 July 2026) – Fresh off a dream debut season, South African netball star Elmeré van der Berg has added another remarkable achievement to her growing career after helping the Adelaide Thunderbirds lift the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball title.
The Proteas shooter played a starring role throughout the season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with an incredible 708 goals at a 90% shooting accuracy. She also collected several Player of the Match awards and delivered a standout performance in the semi-finals, where she was named MVP after proving unstoppable under the post.
Van der Berg carried that form into the Grand Final, sinking 51 of her 52 attempts as the Thunderbirds cruised to a dominant 61-40 victory over the Melbourne Vixens. The emphatic win secured the club’s third championship in four years and the biggest winning margin ever recorded in a Super Netball Grand Final.
The celebrations continued back in Adelaide, where thousands of supporters lined the streets in the club’s signature pink to welcome their champions home. Amid the celebrations, Van der Berg took a moment to thank the fans who had been cheering her on from South Africa.
“I just want to thank all the South African fans for supporting me and backing me all the way from back home. I felt all the love and support for the past six months.”
The towering shooter admitted she’s now looking forward to returning home after a memorable first season abroad, adding that she can’t wait to see everyone who supported her journey.
After announcing herself on the world stage at the 2023 Netball World Cup and continuing her rise in Australia, Van der Berg’s debut Super Netball campaign has firmly established her as one of South Africa’s brightest sporting stars.
Watch Elmeré van der Berg thank South Africans here.
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