Liverpool, United Kingdom – The SPAR Netball Proteas stormed out of the blocks in their match against the Australian Diamonds in the opening match of the 2019 SANZEA Quad Series in Liverpool on Sunday. They were five goals ahead after the first quarter, but Australia finally ran out 62-45 winners.
The SPAR Proteas were in the lead for the first few minutes of the match, but the Diamonds came back hard took the lead. But in the final minutes of the quarter, the Proteas found their mojo and stormed past the Diamonds. Goal shooter Lenize Potgieter was like a robot, scoring with ease, and at the end of the quarter, the Proteas were 15-10 ahead.
The Diamonds were playing without their iconic captain Caitlin Bassett, who injured an arm during training. Her absence appeared to have rattled the starting line-up, who struggled to communicate. Coach Lisa Alexander made a number of changes in the second quarter and the Australians began to settle. The Proteas maintained their lead for much of the quarter, but the Diamonds swept past them towards the end, and by halftime were leading 27-25, having outscored the Proteas by 17 goals to 10.
The Australians started to show why they have dominated world netball for so many years in the third quarter as they stretched the gap between the two sides. SPAR Proteas captain Bongiwe Msomi had to leave the court for some minutes to have a blood injury treated and this appeared to disturb the Proteas’ rhythm. By the end of the quarter, the Diamonds were ahead by 43 goals to 35m having won the quarter by 16 goals to 13.
But it was in the final quarter that the Australians got away, winning the quarter by 19 goals to seven. However, the score line does not reflect the determination shown by the South Africans, who scrapped for every ball.
“It was a gutsy win,” said Alexander. “We really had our backs to the wall in the first quarter. The South Africans were fantastic, particularly in the first half. What this has shown me is that the Diamonds always manage to come back.”
Proteas coach Norma Plummer said the big question was how to ensure that her team played at the same level for 60 minutes. “We need more competition,” she said.
“Several of the players have been playing in England and Australia, but for most of our players, their domestic league doesn’t start until May. We need more time on the court, especially as this is a world cup year.”
Plummer said she was very happy to have veteran centre Erin Burger back in the team. Burger missed most of last year with a career-threatening illness.
“She brings so much stability and experience to the midcourt,” said Plummer.
South Africa play England next Saturday and New Zealand next Sunday.
Ends.
SPAR Proteas squad: Erin Burger, Sigrid Burger, Khanyisa Chawane, Rome Dreyer, Maryka Holtzhausen, Phumza Maweni, Tshina Mdau, Bongiwe Msomi, (captain), Lenize Potgieter, Karla Pretorius, Monique Reynecke, Renske Stoltz, Shadine van der Merwe, Ine-Marie Venter, Zanele Vimbela
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Norma Plummer (Head Coach), Nicole Cusack (Specialist Coach), Dumisani Chauke (South African Coach), Nisha Rupnarain (Team Manager), Nande Mjajubana (Physio) and Cristy Mullender (Performance Analyst)