Proteas dig deep to down Malawi

CAPE TOWN: The Spar Proteas held their nerve to beat Malawi 48-46 in a hard-fought match in which the lead changed hands at regular intervals, in their fifth place play-off at the Netball World Cup in Sydney yesterday.

The victory means South Africa retain their fifth place ranking in world netball and are once again officially the top team in Africa.

“I am glad that’s over,” said a smiling coach, Norma Plummer. “I’m delighted for the team, and for South Africa, that they have come out African winners.”

She said she had taken over as coach at short notice and had only about three weeks working with the team before the start of the World Cup, so she was very pleased with the improvement they had shown through the tournament and appreciated the way they had shown such “hunger” for her coaching advice and the way they implemented it throughout.

Maryka Holtzhausen said they had started the game well, but had let Malawi back into the match, and had to work hard throughout to win it.

“I think the difference between this match and the opening match when we lost, is that we have improved throughout the tournament. In that opening match, it was a first World Cup for several of the girls, and I think the nerves got the better of us,” she said.

“But this time we worked according to our game plan, and things worked out for us.”

She said Plummer’s influence on the team had been immense.

“If she could do so much to improve us in a few weeks, imagine if we had her for four years,” she said. “I think we could go right to the top.”

Meanwhile, Australia captured the World Cup title for the 11th time, surviving a late fight back from New Zealand to win the final 58-55.

The New Zealanders outscored the Australians in each of the last three quarters but were unable to erase a nine-goal deficit from the opening quarter.

Australian goal shooter Caitlin Bassett netted 48 of her 51 shots while goal attack Natalie Medhurst made 10 of 13 for the Diamonds.

The Silver Ferns had 11 more shots at goal than the Australians but were less accurate, with goal attack Maria Tutaia landing 38 of 53 attempts and goal shooter Bailey Mes draining 17 from 22.

For the Australians, the win marked their 11th title from 14 editions of the tournaments, dating way back to 1963, and their third in a row. – ANA/ Reuters