SPAR Proteas beat Wales in Durban
The South African Proteas netball team triumphed in the SPAR Netball Series at the weekend
THE SPAR Proteas and Baby Proteas both achieved a whitewash over Wales in the SPAR Challenge International Netball Series at the Durban International Convention Centre.
In the final matches on Sunday, the Proteas beat Wales 64-50, while the Baby Proteas thrashed their Welsh counterparts 88-21.
The Proteas did not have everything their own way in the third and final match. Wales, ranked eighth in the world to South Africa’s fifth, had a brilliant first quarter. Halfway through the quarter, they went into a 6-9 lead after overturning two consecutive centre passes.
The Proteas also overturned centre passes, but Wales won the quarter by 15 goals to 14.
The Proteas started to come back in the second quarter, but the lead changed hands several times before South Africa crept ahead to win the quarter by 15 goals to 13.
However, it was situation normal after halftime, with South Africa moving swiftly to lead by more than 10 goals.
Izette Lubbe took a blow to the knee and was replaced by veteran Protea Erin Burger, and goalshooter Lenize Potgieter limped off after twisting her ankle, giving 19-year-old Siggie Burger the opportunity to win her first cap. South Africa won the quarter 16-11 and the final quarter 19-11.
Coach Norma Plummer, who returned to Australia on Monday, said she was very happy with the outcome of the series.
“We won 3-0, so I have to be happy. I’ve had a squad of 14 and I was able to play all 14 players. I took some risks, playing three new caps, but I was able to see what depth there is in South African netball,” she said. “South Africa’s shooting is looking particularly healthy.”
Plummer said she was delighted with the work ethic in the South African team. “They also respond very well when you give them feedback between the quarters. Every now and then they’d go into a dip, but those are things that we can continue to work on,” she added.
