Netball Proteas front up to world’s best in series
Coach Plummer proud of effort against Australia
The Spar netball Proteas have big hearts and are not afraid of taking on the best in the world, according to head coach Norma Plummer.
Speaking ahead of today’s Sanzea Quad Series match between SA and New Zealand at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg , Plummer said she was exceptionally proud of the way the team had played against Australia in the London leg of the series last weekend, given the limited preparation time . The Australian Diamonds beat the Proteas 54-50 – their narrowest winning margin over SA.
“We had one-and-a-half days to reselect the squad and about three days of training before we flew out,” she said. “So I was a little apprehensive, but about the day before we played, I felt we had got back to where we left off in September.
“I was blown away by their performance, because they had been training by themselves.”
Proteas captain Bongiwe Msomi said the players were feeling good ahead of the SA leg of the series. They play the Silver Ferns today and the England Roses on Sunday afternoon.
“We are enjoying the intensity of playing the best teams in world netball,” she said.
“We are excited about the way we played against Australia in London, but what’s past is past, and we have to look ahead to the matches against New Zealand and England this weekend.
“It is also a good opportunity for us to get good match practice ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April.”
Plummer said the Quad Series was of critical importance to the development of the Proteas.
“We can go on playing teams ranked under us and maybe get a win, or we could challenge and get the games they need – the intensity and the pressure of playing the best. For us, it’s been fantastic,” she said.
Sanzea Quad Series programme (all games at Ellis Park): Today: Sunday:
SA v New Zealand, 7pm Australia v New Zealand, 12pm; SA v England, 2pm