Maweni’s return a huge boost ahead of Test series
Proteas looking for consistency
SA’s netball national team will welcome back star defender Phumza Maweni after she recovered from an ankle injury that forced her to miss the side’s successful run in the recent African Netball Championships.
The return to action of Maweni‚ who is based in Australia with the Sunshine Coast Lightning‚ is a huge boost for the Proteas ahead of their meeting with the English Roses in a threematch Test series in Cape Town.
The three matches at the Bellville Velodrome get underway today and continue tomorrow and Sunday.
“Phumza wasn’t available for the African Championships because of an injury that happened while she was playing for her club in Australia after the World Cup‚ but she has been cleared to play in this Test series‚” said coach Dorette Badenhorst at the preTest press conference in Cape Town yesterday.
“She is a brilliant netball player and having her back in the team is precious for us.
“She is among the leadership group and they play their part helping the younger ones to adjust.
“We struggled a little bit with combinations during the Africa Champs in the absence of Maweni and Karla Mostert‚ so it’s great to have her back.”
The Proteas will be without retired Maryka Holtzhausen and Erin Burger, but coach Badenhorst said this series is an opportunity for some of the younger players to raise their hands.
“Maryka and Erin have retired and those are two players with lots of experience‚” the coach said.
Looking ahead of the series‚ Proteas captain Bongi Msomi said their target is to be consistent.
“The only thing that needs to happen in this series is for us to keep improving‚ be consistent and get the new girls to fit in. “It’s going to be a tough job for us, but I am sure that the Roses are also expecting a tough battle‚ which is great‚” said Msomi.
I am sure that the Roses are also expecting a tough battle‚ which is great