Johannesburg, South Africa – The SPAR Proteas retained their fifth place ranking in the latest international netball rankings released in London.
Africa continued to put up a good showing, with three teams in the top ten. Malawi retained their sixth place ranking and Uganda remained in seventh position.
There were dramatic changes in the top four rankings. Australia maintained their first place, but England, previously ranked fourth, leapfrogged their way into second position, followed by Jamaica in third, with New Zealand dropping from second to fourth.
The impact of the recent Quad Series tournament in the United Kingdom was evident in the latest rankings. The England Roses won two of their matches, beating the Australian Diamonds 52-49 and the New Zealand Silver Ferns 54-41. The SPAR Proteas lost to the Diamonds (62-45), but beat the Roses by 48 goals to 45. They drew 45-all with the Silver Ferns, but lost 60-62 in the sudden death play-off after extra time, when the teams were still level. It was their best performance against the Silver Ferns since 1995.
The Diamonds beat the SPAR Proteas and the Silver Ferns and won the tournament on goal difference.
SPAR Proteas coach Norma Plummer said after the tournament that the team’s outstanding performance was evidence that the gap between South Africa and the top teams had closed.
“We will definitely be aiming for a medal at the World Cup in Liverpool in July,” said Plummer.
“We have proved ourselves and we have shown that we have the talent and the determination to win.”
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