The Spar Proteas wrapped up a 3-nil clean-sweep against Malawi with a 69-24 victory over their African rivals in the final Test of the Spar Challenge netball series at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, Gauteng, on Sunday, 3 November, 2024.
The 45-goal winning margin was the largest of the series hosted by the City of Johannesburg, with the home side having won the first Test by 37 goals and the second by 31.
The South African coaching team once again switched things up in the starting lineup for the third clash, with goal shooter Ine-Marí Venter taking to the court for the first time in the series. Nicholé Breedt returned after her first-Test appearance at wing attack, and time she looked far more comfortable at goal attack, although it took some time for the shooting circle to settle – Venter missing her first two attempts before slotting one in.
“I’m really happy with how we went about this whole series, how we started, and how we finished.”
Spar Proteas Captain, Kanyisa Chawane
Unlike Saturday’s Test, where a tight first quarter ended with the teams level on 13-13, the Spar Proteas took control of Sunday’s match from early on, surging to 16-7 by the end of the period and not looking back.
While Thandie Galeta impressed at wing attack for the Malawi Queens, the rest of the side struggled, slowing things down and taking their time in attack but making little impact. South Africa’s defensive pairing of goalkeeper Nicola Smith and goal defence Karla Pretorious made it even tougher going for the visitors, restricting them to just four goals in the second quarter to reach half time 31-11 up.
At the start of the third quarter, Venter and Breedt were replaced by Owethu Ngubane and Kamogelo Maseko who proved to be a better combination in the circle, while Jamie van Wyk came on for Boitumelo Mahloko at wing defence.
The Spar Proteas continued to dominate, scoring 19 goals in the third quarter to reach the final break 50-19 up and then adding another 19 in the final period.
The Malawians attempted to run down the clock in the final minute to prevent the home side from passing the 70-goal mark – their highest score in the series to that point had been 69 – and while they may have succeeded in keeping the South Africans to 69 goals in this match, they couldn’t prevent their largest defeat of the series with the score on 69-24.
Spar Proteas captain Kanyisa Chawane praised her team for a commanding performance in the series, saying:
“As much as the coaches did look for more consistency, I think we did climb up each and every game and really improved. I’m really impressed with the group because every combination that the coach decided to put on, we were there for one another and really played well and supported one another.”
Head Coach Jenny van Dyk said while there is still plenty to work on, the team will, for now, be celebrating accomplishing their mission to secure a convincing series clean sweep. “It was great score-wise. I was very pleased with the final result,” she said.
“At this stage, it’s important for us to enjoy the moment. We’ve got a 3-0 victory over Malawi on our first run and we’ve tested quite a lot of different combinations and we’ve put all our players to the Test.”
Head Coach Jenny van Dyk
Meanwhile, after several impressive performances at goal attack, South Africa’s Kamogelo Maseko was named as the Player of the Tournament. The 22-year-old said afterwards that she was pleased with her own performances and that there had been plenty of learnings as a team.
“We learnt a lot about ourselves,” she said afterwards. “Malawi offered a different style of play every match so it was just about adapting but also not derailing from the game plan.
“This Test series helped us set our own standards as a team and to just see where we are as a unit,” she added.
Malawi coach Joanna Kachilika admitted her first series in charge has been a tough one, but that there were positives she could take from the matches.
“This is not what we planned as a team but losing the three games has had a positive impact for our team. We’ve seen our weaknesses and what we will be working on as we go back to Malawi and prepare for the African Championships so that we can improve,” she said.
2024 Spar Challenge International Netball Test Series between South Africa and Malawi at Ellis Park Arena in the City of Johannesburg
Thu 31 October: South Africa 68-31 MalawiSat 2 November: South Africa 69-38 MalawiSun 3 November: South Africa 69-24 Malawi
Player Awards
Best Shooter: Elmeré van Berg (RSA)Best Centre: Thandie Galeta (MAW)Best Defender: Karla Pretorius (RSA)Player of the Tournament: Kamogelo Maseko (RSA)
Scores for the Third and Final Test of the 2024 Spar Challenge International Netball Test Series between South Africa and Malawi at the Ellis Park Arena on Sunday, 3 November, 2024
Q1: 16-7Q2: 31-11 (15-4)Q3: 50-19 (19-8)Q4: 69-24 (19-5)
Most Valuable Player: Refiloe Nketsa (RSA)
Spar Proteas Netball Squad for the Challenge Series vs Malawi in Johannesburg from 31 October to 3 November, 2024
Khanyisa Chawane (Captain)Karla Pretorius (Assistant Captain)Ine-Marí VenterRolene StreutkerElmeré van der BergOwethu NgubaneNicholé BreedtKamogelo MasekoRefiloe NketsaTarle MatheJeanté StrydomJamie van WykBoitumelo MahlokoNicola SmithAné Retief
Technical Team
Head Coach – Jenny van DykAssistant Coach – Zanele MdodanaTeam Manager – Vinolia AustinPhysiotherapy and Conditioning – Fikile PhashaStrength Conditioning – Werner BothaTeam Analyst – Michele van Rooyen
Original Copy: Netball SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Unbeaten South Africa has secured a third victory over Malawi to win the 2024 Spar Challenge hosted by the City of Johannesburg at Ellis Park Arena on Sunday, 3 November, 2024. All Photos: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 Caption: Goal shooter Ine-Marí Venter took to the court for the first time in the series, and contributed to the biggest winning margin by South Africa in the series.
Photo 3 Caption: After several impressive performances at goal attack, South Africa’s 22-year-old Kamogelo Maseko was named as the Player of the Tournament.
Photo 4 Caption: Player Awards bestowed after the final Test were (from left) Best Shooter: Elmeré van Berg (RSA); Player of the Tournament: Kamogelo Maseko (RSA); Best Centre: Thandie Galeta (MAW); and Best Defender: Karla Pretorius (RSA).
