Jenny van Dyk and Khanyisa Chawane launched their tenures as new head coach and captain of the Spar Proteas in the best possible manner with a 68-31 victory over Malawi as the Spar Challenge kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, 31 October, 2024.
That saw the home team taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series currently being hosted by the City of Johannesburg and played at the Ellis Park Arena.
Van Dyk started Nicholé Breedt (formerly Taljaard) on wing attack rather than her usual position of goal attack, with the up-and-coming Kamogelo Maseko selected in that position.
Maseko was outstanding in her 23rd Test for the Spar Proteas, displaying remarkable athleticism while combining exceptionally well with eventual MVP Elmeré van der Berg in the shooting circle.
The opening exchanges went goal-for-goal before Karla Pretorius effected the first turnover of the match for the Spar Proteas to begin to open up a gap on their opponents.
The first quarter proved to be the best for the Malawians who scored 11 goals to South Africa’s 16. The visitors, who have not played an international match since last year’s Netball World Cup in Cape Town, managed to maintain some of their momentum through to half time, but the Spar Proteas continued to dominate with Nicole Smith in particular making her presence felt at goalkeeper.
The South Africans had opened the gap to 48-27 by the end of the second quarter. Having kept the team unchanged through the first half, Van Dyk moved captain Chawane from centre to wing attack in place of Breedt who had struggled somewhat, with Tarle Mathe coming on at centre. Jeanté Strydom was the only other change, on at wing defence in place of Boitumelo Mahloko.
The mid-court combination proved to be a far better one with the Spar Proteas stamping their authority on the second half. They reached the end of the third quarter 48-27 up and then ran away with it in the fourth.
The Malawians simply ran out of steam in the final period as the South African defence put them under intense pressure, making it tough for the visitors to find their way into the circle and forcing them into mistakes.
Ané Retief was handed her first Spar Proteas cap when she was brought on at goalkeeper with just under 10 minutes remaining in the match, while Owethu Ngubane came on as goal shooter five minutes later.
As the clocked ticked down, the home side slotted in an incredible 14 unanswered goals before Malawi finally found the net for their final score of the match, which ended 68-31.
“Getting that win was really a great feeling, said an ecstatic Chawane afterwards. “I’m really proud of the team because it’s our first time stepping out and having to perform like that is really a big thing for us.
“Obviously we won’t always be happy. There are always things to work on but I’m really happy with the groundwork that we’ve done. The team is looking really good and I’m really proud of every one of them.”
“I think this is a great start for us. There’s a lot we still want to work on and a lot we know we can fix to become even better. Obviously, we will always want to push as much as possible but yes, my first cap, I’ll take this one.”
Spar Proteas Head Coach, Jenny van Dyk
“I think this is a great start to our campaign. They reacted well and really made us proud tonight.”
Van der Berg expressed her surprise at being named the Most Valuable Player but credited her progress to playing in England’s Netball Super League.
“Coming back from the UK, I actually fell in love with netball again,” said Most Valuable Player, Elmeré van der Berg. “Being able to play for six months on that high-performance stage really helps you develop your game, and teaches you to have big-match temperament because, weekend after weekend, you play against very strong defenders, and that helps you to stand strong.
Malawi coach Joanna Kachilika said all was not lost with two matches left to play, but that her side had lost their way because of the tempo of the game.
“The girls stopped playing according to our strategy. They lost concentration, they lost focus, that’s why we lost the game,” she said.
Spar Challenge action continues with the second Test between the Spar Proteas and Malawi on Saturday, 2 November (17h000 with the third and final Test on Sunday, 3 November (15h00)
Scores for the First Test of the 2024 Spar Challenge International Netball Test Series between South Africa and Malawi at the Ellis Park Arena on 31 October, 2024
Q1: 16-11Q2: 32-19 (16-8)Q3: 48-27 (16-8)Q4: 68-31 (20-4)
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, 17h00: First Test South Africa vs MalawiSun 3 November, 15h00: First Test South Africa vs Malawi
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: The Spar Proteas opened the three-Test Spar Challenge series hosted by the City of Johannesburg with a big win over Malawi at the Ellis Park Arena, Gauteng, on Thursday, 31 October, 2024. All Photos: Reg Caldecott
Photo 2 Caption: Khanyisa Chawane launched her tenure as the new Spar Proteas captain in the best possible manner with a 68-31 victory over Malawi.
Photo 3 Caption: Spar Proteas goalkeeper Nicola Smith played an impressive role in the solid win by South Africa over Malawi.
Photo 4 Caption: Rising Spar Proteas goal attack Kamogelo Maseko controls the ball during South Africa’s 68-31 win in the City of Johannesburg.
Photo 5 Caption: Spar Proteas goal shooter, Elmeré van der Berg was named the Most Valued Player (MVP) at the Ellis Park Arena.
