The South African netball team were outplayed by Uganda’s She Cranes, who finished their tournament with a clear 46-42 win over South Africa to win the bronze medal and finish third in the world at the World Netball Fast5 Series, at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand on Sunday, 10 November, 2024.
Australia won the tournament, defending their title when they beat hosts New Zealand 34-30 in the final, but the South Africans will rue the end to what seemed a fairy-tale destiny after their comprehensive win over England on Day 1, added to a very narrow loss to New Zealand, earlier in the day.
The African two teams faced off for a second time that day as Uganda laid down their marker early, taking the first quarter 15-9 to set the tone for the match. South Africa managed to contain their opponents in the second quarter to capture a 7-6 lead ending the first half.
However, Uganda took control of the match again, taking the third quarter 16-12. There was a late fightback from South Africa, winning the fourth quarter 14-9, but it was a little too late, as the Uganda claimed a world third place finish at the event.
Earlier in the day South Africa took on Uganda in the first game of the day making easy work of that win as they secured a 37-20 victory against their African counterparts. Martha Mosoahle-Samm’s team dominated from the get-go as they took the first quarter 6-2.
Uganda then fought back in the second quarter where they took a slender 11-10 lead into halftime. South Africa had another strong Q3 which saw them lead 9-3 with the final quarter to come. A big fourth quarter helped South Africa win it 12-4 and seal an emphatic victory.
Up next for South Africa was New Zealand as the hosts won the tie 41-40, but they were put to the test by the South Africans, who won the first quarter 9-5, the two teams competing in a tight battle for superiority, but South Africa proved too strong, taking the second quarter 14-4.
The third quarter saw the home team fight back to lead 10-8 before a mega final quarter from New Zealand saw them score 22 goals to South Africa’s 8, which was just enough for them to win.
Day 1 Results at the FAST5 World Netball Series in New Zealand
South Africa 33-25 EnglandNew Zealand 39 – 19 JamaicaAustralia 44 – 37 UgandaEngland 35 – 15 JamaicaAustralia 49 – 26 South AfricaNew Zealand 40 – 27 UgandaEngland 31 – 22 UgandaJamaica 25 – 33 South AfricaNew Zealand 26 – 41 Australia
FAST5 World Netball Series Round 2 Fixtures on Sunday, 10 November, 2024
Jamaica 39 – 56 AustraliaNew Zealand 32 – 30 EnglandSouth Africa 37 – 20 UgandaAustralia 41 – 27 EnglandNew Zealand 41 – 40 South AfricaJamaica 26 – 43 Uganda
FAST5 World Netball Series Final Round Fixtures on Sunday, 10 November, 2024
5th/6th Final – England 38 – 36 Jamaica3rd/4th Final – South Africa 42 – 46 Uganda2024 FAST5 Final – Australia 34 – 30 New Zealand
Netball SA Squad for the FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand on 9 and 10 November, 2024
Rolene Streutker (GS) MangaungZandre Smith (GS) Buffalo CityKamogelo Maseko (GA) MangaungLefébre Rademan (GA) TshwaneShannon Bartlett (C) Cape WinelandsAmber Coraizin (C) Cape TownSanmarie Visser (GD) DKKBoitumelo Mahloko (GD) JHBAné Retief (GK) MangaungSyntiche Kabuya (GK) Cape Winelands
Non-Travelling Reserves
Tarle Mathe (C) JHBNichole Taljaard (GA) Cape Winelands
Team Management
Martha Mosoahle-Samm (Head Coach) JHBErin Burger (Assistant Coach) TshwaneOlga Nsele (Manager) uMgungundlovuNarita du Toit (Physio) Tshwane
Photo Caption: The South African FAST5 Women’s team sing the national anthem prior to losing the bronze medal match to Uganda, finishing fourth at the 2024 FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand on Sunday, 10 November, 2024. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography
Photo 2 Caption: SA’s Amber Coraizin was named Player of the Match after SA’s earlier 37-20 victory over Uganda, on Sunday morning. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography
Photo 3 Caption: Goal shooter Rolene Streutker earned the Player of the Match award in SA’s narrow defeat to New Zealand. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography
