Diamond Challenge kicks off in Seshego
Two South African netball teams are set to do battle with national sides from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia at the Diamond Challenge this week
POLOKWANE – The two South African netball teams set to do battle at the Diamond Challenge in Limpopo this week were announced by national coach Norma Plummer in Tshwane on Sunday.
South Africa will be represented by the Spar Proteas as well as a President’s XII, which will showcase some of the up-and-coming stars of the game.
The Spar Proteas will include Erin Bruger, Sigrid Burger, Khanyisa Chawane, Romé Dreyer, Maryka Holtzhausen, Phumza Maweni, Bongiwe Msomi (captain), Lenize Potgieter, Karla Pretorius (vice-captain), Renske Stoltz, Shadine van de Merwe and Zanele Vimbela.
The President’s XII includes Stephanie Brandt, Marlize de Bruin, Zandré Erasmus, Kgomotso Itlhabanyeng, Jessica Khomo (captain), Danelle Lochner (vice-captain), Chanté Louw, Yandiswa Makasi, Lentsa Motau, Nozipho Ntshangase, Lefebré Rademan, Monique Reyneke and Talja Venter.
The announcement comes after a week-long training camp and the two teams were selected to take on national sides from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia over five days of scintillating action at the Ngoako Ramathlodi Sports Complex in Seshego from 27 November to 1 December.
Coach Norma Plummer said that she was very happy to see that the players that will be in action are some of the best that the country has on offer.
Netball president Cecilia Molokwane told BONUS in an interview that she is excited to see this big of a competition come to Limpopo that she and players like Lenize Potgieter who will be representing the country and province.
“We have the talent and all we need is the chance to showcase it and show off the facilities that we have on offer. Heading to yet another meeting for the 2023 Netball World Cup, I would like to call on the players and supporters to keep on supporting the game and show the people out there that South Africa is the place to win the bid for hosting the biggest competition of netball in the world. It all starts here with the Diamond Challenge,” she said.
Bongi Msomi was named as captain of the Spar Proteas side, with Karla Pretorius serving as vice-captain.
Jessica Khomo was selected to fill the captain’s role for the President’s XII team, with Danelle Lochner as her vice-captain.
Spar Protea captain Bongi Msomi spoke about the platform that the Diamond Challenge will bring to young players from even rural areas as entrance is free and they can come and see the games and support players that they dream of being one day. “It shows them that they can also be here along side us and play to defend their countries countries.”
The Diamond Challenge action starts today Tuesday, 27 November and entrance to all the games is free of charge on a first come, first served basis. It will also be broadcast on SuperSport 10 and 8.
