Netball captain dispels injury worries after loss
SPAR Proteas’ captain Bongi Msomi was taken off for tactical reasons and not because of injury‚ as was initially feared‚ in the South Africa, New Zealand, England, Australia (Sanzea) netball quad series match against thirdranked England at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday.
Msomi held her calf as she came off in the second quarter of the match‚ which the Proteas lost 60-55.
Extra time had to be played as it finished 48-48 after four quarters.
At the time Msomi went off‚ the Proteas had started falling behind after making a promising start in the first five minutes of the first quarter.
Coach Norma Plummer felt some changes needed to be made after they were 8-11 down.
She brought on Izette Lubbe for Msomi at wing attack and Lindie Lombard for Renske Stoltz at goal attack.
Msomi’s absence affected the team for a little while as they found themselves 11 goals down at half time‚ but the changes eventually had the desired impact and the Proteas started to find more cohesion. “I am not injured,” Msomi said. “It was a tactical decision and as a captain and a senior in the team‚ I would definitely say it was a good call.
“The girls really stepped up‚ especially Izette. I am one of those players who admires a good job and I think she did that. The whole team played very well and I am excited about that.”
Plummer made the changes because she felt that England had done their homework on Msomi and Stoltz.
“You have to understand that in situations like this it is about getting the team over the line,” the Australian-born coach said.
“We have 12 players and we will work those 12 players to make sure we can be in the contest.
“England did their homework. They knew that Bongi and Renske at goal attack is what blew them apart last time [in last year’s quad series].
“They knew they needed to cut them out. At that point in time‚ we needed a change. We made the right decision.”
The Proteas face Australia tomorrow at 7pm.