Pretoria, South Africa- The SPAR Proteas are to take on one of the world’s best Netball teams in preparation for the World Netball Cup in Sydney, Australia, starting this coming weekend.
The Proteas, who jetted out of Johannesburg, met us with their new coach, Norma Plummer, in New Zealand on Monday, and will play two Tests against the Silver Ferns, who have been a dominant force in world netball for several decades.
The Tests will be played in Hamilton on July 26, and in Auckland on July 28.
SuperSport will be broadcasting the two warm up tests against New Zealand on 26 and 28 July at 09:45 (South African time) on SuperSport 4 and SuperSport Select SA.
Plummer, who coached Australia to victory in the 2011 World Championships in Singapore, took over as Proteas coach last month. She had an immediate impact on the team, who beat perennial rivals Malawi twice in the Diamond Challenge, played at the Ugu Sports Centre near Margate.
Plummer said she was excited to be taking charge of the Proteas, who she described as ‘very talented athletes.’ She said the short series against New Zealand was very important for the team.
“They need to have the experience of playing one of the world’s top teams,” she said.
“Regardless of the outcome of the Tests, they will benefit.”
Plummer said the Proteas needed to learn how to get out of tough situations, and to develop Netball intelligence, which was something for which the Silver Ferns were renowned.
Meanwhile Netball South Africa confirmed that Melissa Myburgh has been replaced in the SPAR Protea lineup by reserve Elsunet du Plessis. Myburgh had to withdraw from the team due to injury.
SPAR Proteas team: Lenize Potgieter, Elsunet du Plessis, Lindie Lombard, Maryka Holtzhausen (captain), Bongiwe Msomi (vice-captain), Izette Lubbe, Erin Burger, Precious Mthembu, Rochelle Lawson, Karla Mostert, Adele Niemand, Phumza Maweni
Non-travelling reserves: Lauren-Lee Christians, Zukelwa Cwaba.