Trio absent from netball squad
South Africa will be without three key players next month when they target a podium place at the annual Fast5 Netball World Series in Auckland.
Netball South Africa president Mimi Mthethwa. FILE PIC. (Photo by Reg Caldecott/Gallo Images).
Rising star Lenize Potgieter, who was involved in a car accident earlier this month, did not recover in time to be included in the squad named on Monday.
While she was released from hospital four days after the accident, doctors had advised Potgieter not to participate in contact sport until she had fully recovered from her minor injuries.
Fellow shooter Lindie Lombard was recently ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, while wing Thuli Qegu withdrew from the 10-member squad due to study commitments.
The trio were also absent during the recent 1-1 series draw against the Australian Centre of Excellence in Potchefstroom, and Netball SA director of selectors Christine du Preez was satisfied with the squad they had put together.
“We’ve assembled a very talented group of players who performed superbly against some of Australia’s finest up-and-coming players,” Du Preez said.
“The team has a very good balance between experience and upcoming new stars who have shown a lot of potential.”
SA squad: Maryka Holtzhausen (captain), Vanes-Mari du Toit, Mari-Lena Joubert, Elsunet du Plessis, Lauren-Lee Christians, Tumelo Mantjiu, Amanda Mynhardt, Shadine van der Merwe, Phumza Maweni, Bhongo Nqubeni.
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