SA netball girls to shake off rust
The national netball team will need to snap back into form, according to coach Norma Plummer, if they are to target a second straight victory in the Quad Series.
After picking up their maiden win in the annual four-nation campaign against England in Invercargill in September, the SA squad have had to rely on training camps to keep themselves sharp over the last few months.
They play world champions Australia in London today before hosting the final leg of the series at Ellis Park next week, with fixtures against New Zealand and England.
“The other three teams are match-ready,” Plummer said this week.
“That is a bit concerning, but I was very pleased with the training camp we have just had.
“The players worked hard on their individual programmes during the break ... but it is disappointing that we weren’t able to arrange any international matches.”
Though the series would give the Proteas their last chance to compete at Test level before the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April, Plummer said they had planned some games against Australian league teams ahead of the showpiece.
“We need some tough practice matches to get the players into the right frame of mind,” she said.
“We are lucky that seven of our best players will be playing in tough overseas leagues between the Quad Series and the Commonwealth Games ... and that extra experience will be invaluable for the whole team.”
While Plummer admitted they were short of time on court, she felt her experienced squad were ready to rattle the world champions in the English capital.
“There was no club netball over the festive season and the players had to work on their own fitness programmes,” Plummer said.
“But I was very impressed with the amount of work they were able to put in. They did an excellent job of keeping fit.”