Pictured at the pre-tournament press conference (from left): Defending U-21 champions Tshwane captain Marichelle Visagie and coach Yolandi Ferreira, Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane, senior defending champions Johannesburg coach Elsje Jordaan and captain Monique Reyneke Meyer. Picture: Reg Caldecott
They will be missing some key players, but Johannesburg head coach Elsje Jordaan believes her team have the depth to successfully defend their title at the Spar National Netball Championships getting underway in Rustenburg on Monday.
The Johannesburg district side edged Gauteng rivals Tshwane in last year’s senior A-division final, securing a thrilling 24-23 victory in the derby clash to lift the trophy.
This week, they will turn out in an attempt to retain their crown with three international players missing from their line-up (for various reasons) including Proteas captain Bongi Msomi.
Jordaan said on Sunday she was nonetheless satisfied that they had a strong enough squad to go all the way again.
“We have a good team. We have lost a few Protea players, but it gives some younger players an opportunity,” Jordaan said.
“It’s going to be a tough week, and we’ve got eight games to play in the first round, but we are definitely looking forward to booking our place in the playoffs again.”
With the annual national championships being shifted back almost two months from its regular August date, due to the recent Netball World Cup in Cape Town, hot conditions were expected in Nelspruit throughout the week.
Jordaan felt her squad had enough depth to ensure they could counter the conditions by keeping their players fresh enough to shine in the knockout stages.
“The heat is definitely a challenge and a lot of player management will be required,” she said.
“We have brought a full squad here to make sure we can manage the players so they still have the legs for the tougher matches we are expecting later in the week.”
A total of 59 senior teams and 52 Under-21 sides, representing districts from across the country, will compete at the six-day national championships which will come to a close on Saturday.