Proteas up for Welsh challenge

THE Proteas can expect no favours from Wales in the three-Test netball series which got under way at the International Convention Centre in Durban last night. The second Test will be tonight (6pm) and the third tomorrow (2pm).

All matches will be preceded by curtain-raisers featuring the two nations’ under-21 sides.

The coaches of both sides, Norma Plummer of the Proteas and Trish Wilcox of Wales, both said yesterday that the series would enable their teams to assess how much they had improved since last year’s Netball World Cup in Sydney, while also giving the players international experience.

Plummer said: “We are going after nothing less than a win in this series. Wales gave us a run for our money the last time we met but we are well prepared for them.

“These three Tests are very important because they are a way forward for us as we prepare for our next challenge against the top three netball countries, Australia, New Zealand and England, with another three-Test series against Jamaica after that.

“If the Proteas are to seriously challenge the top teams, then they have to play against them to get the necessary experience and to sharpen their skills.

“The more international exposure we get the better. When we play against those top teams we are looking for, if not a win, at least to narrow the scorelines.”

Wilcox said her team were very excited to have the opportunity to play in South Africa for the first time.

“We have cracked the top 10 in world netball,” she said. “In fact we’re now ranked eighth and we’re looking at closing the gap and moving up the world rankings.

“All our players play in the English Super League, with the core of our national team playing for the Dragons, and this series comes at just the right time. It’s an ideal way to end the season.

“We know we can compete with the top-ranked teams as we have the players with the necessary experience.”

Wales captain Suzi Drake said yesterday that the Welsh players had all recovered from their nightmare 56-hour journey from Cardiff to Durban, caused by flight delays and missed connections.

South Africa last played Wales at the World Cup in Sydney in August, winning 60-38.

“Wales are a formidable team,” said Proteas captain Maryka Holtzhausen.

“We understand they have improved since then, but so have we and we’re excited to have the opportunity to put into practice what we’ve been working on.

“The crowds will also be on our side, which is always a benefit.”

The matches for the under-21 sides have also come at an opportune time, with both teams preparing for next year’s Under-21 World Cup in Botswana.

“We are learning a lot from being with and playing against the senior team,” said Baby Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk.