The Adelaide Thunderbirds are pleased to welcome dynamic GS/GA and international Spar Protea Elmeré van der Berg for the 2026 season.
Standing at 191cm with the ability to play across both shooting positions, the South African will add versatility and depth to the side’s attack end.
Playing for Manchester Thunder in the UK’s Netball Super League, van der Berg was the league’s top scorer for 2025 with 567 goals at 92% and an incredible 87 super shots across 16 games.
She also finished equal-third in the league for rebounds – defensive and offensive – with 30.
The 24-year-old represented her country in the U20 and U21 sides before making her official international debut in 2021 at just 20 years of age.
She now has 42 caps as a Spar Protea, including appearances at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Netball World Cup.
Adelaide Thunderbirds General Manager of High Performance Jace Bode said the club was thrilled to welcome a player of van der Berg’s calibre.
“Elmeré has proven her ability to deliver high volume and shoot from range, at both international and domestic levels,” Bode said.
“At 24 years of age, she’s had extensive exposure at international level and has starred in the UK Super League over the past two seasons.
“We were drawn to her strength and presence on court and her self-determination to be the best athlete she can be.
“She came up against our own Shamera Sterling-Humphrey when Jamaica played South African in early 2025 and Shammy was certainly impressed by Elmeré.
“Elmeré will add significant versatility and scoring power to our shooting end and we can’t wait to start working with her later this year.”
Van der Berg said she was beyond excited to join the Thunderbirds for the 2026 season.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the SSN and now is the time for me to push myself to be the best I can be and what an incredible team to be part of,” van der Berg said.
“I’m very grateful to Karen Greig and Manchester Thunder for looking after me for two years and helping me get my love for netball back.
“I can’t wait to get started and join the side in Adelaide later this year.”
Thunderbirds fans can expect to see van der Berg in action this October as the South African Spar Proteas take on the Australian Diamonds.
Game 3 of the series will be played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 12.
Van der Berg joins already contracted athletes Sophie Casey, Lauren Frew, Matilda Garrett, Kayla Graham, Georgie Horjus, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, Tayla Williams, and Latanya Wilson on the side’s list for 2026.
