Timely wake-up call for Proteas
SA SHOW RING RUST AHEAD OF QUAD SERIES All 12 of national squad in action ahead of serious business.
The Proteas had a strong hit out against New Zealand A yesterday ahead of a blockbuster start to the international netball quad series this weekend. Proteas consultant coach Norma Plummer took the opportunity to play all 12 of her touring players in their first training match on New Zealand soil, two days after arriving in the country.
It was an invaluable dress-rehearsal for the Proteas, who are ranked No 5 in the world, before they play world champions Australia in the first Test of the double-header at Vector Arena in Auckland on Saturday. The hosts, the Silver Ferns, take on the English Roses later on the night.
Although the scoreline in last night’s unofficial match was not critical, the two sides were level-pegging 28-28 at half-time with New Zealand A – which included former Silver Ferns Cat Tuivaiti and Ellen Halfpenny – eventually winning 59-49.
“We really shook the cobwebs out tonight,” Plummer says. “New Zealand put out a strong side and the game has given us plenty of things we can work on.
“I got everyone on court, and I didn’t keep any one combination on for the whole game. It’s important that they quickly learn to cope with changes – if there’s an injury, they have to slot in straight away.”
The team were rocked when they lost their captain and experienced goal attack Maryke Holtzhausen with an knee injury during the national championships in Durban two weeks ago. “But we have some new leadership in the team, and they are already doing a good job,” Plummer says.
New captain Bongi Msomi relished the chance to play a top Kiwi side before the series starts.
“The New Zealanders were well trained, well prepared, fast and physical. It was a great opportunity to play against this particular style before we set out to play the top teams in the world,” she said. – Own Correspondent