The Spar Proteas will start their final assignment of the year in Swakopmund, Namibia on Monday, as they compete against the top teams in Africa at the Africa Netball Cup.
The South Africans have been placed in Pool 1 for the tournament taking place from December 9-14, where they will face Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. Pool 2 includes Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Eswatini, and Lesotho.
Playing against African teams is challenging, with Uganda emerging as a strong team on the continent. Head coach Jenny van Dyk believes the Spar Proteas could meet the She Cranes in the final of the Africa Netball Cup.
“We are very aware of Uganda, we respect them as a team and they’ve done brilliantly,” she said. “It’s a team that you beat once and the next time they come back with a vengeance, and we are very aware of that… We are making sure to do our homework.”
Spar Proteas Jenny van Dyk
In their last encounter at the Netball World Cup, the Spar Proteas defeated Uganda, but the She Cranes bounced back to secure fifth place overall.
Team captain Khanyisa Chawane is confident in the team’s abilities and does not fear facing Uganda again.
“I think it’s more mental than anything because of what they’ve done. You can really fall into a hole of thinking that it’s quite difficult. But it’s not a team to fear.”
Spar Proteas Captain, Captain Khanyisa Chawane
“It’s a team that we’ve beaten before and yes, they may have the confidence that they’ve done it before, but they don’t know the type of team that we are now and we take confidence in that, especially in how strong our team are and how we’ve grown from the World Cup until now.
“I’m looking forward to going out there and giving them something different that they don’t expect.”
Vice-captain Karla Pretorius sees the Africa Netball Cup as an opportunity for the team to gain experience against teams with a different playing style compared to top-ranked teams like Australia, England, New Zealand, and Jamaica.
“That African style of athleticism and the fact that they never stop, which is very unique to us African players, is something that’s always been a challenge. But we’re fully aware of it. It’s about how we do our homework and execute the game plan,” she explained.
Chawane agrees on the need to adapt to the African playing style. “We’re not so used to the African style… So that’s why coach Jenny says we have to play African teams as often as we can, to get used to the style they play.”
“We have always said it’s just short balls and no structure but the more analysis we do, we realise there is a certain structure. It’s just that we’re not used to it and not exposed to it that much, so it is going to be a threat, but we’re prepared for it… We’re looking forward to it and it is going to be challenging.”
South Africa’s matches are scheduled against Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia before the playoffs and final take place from Friday, December 13 to Saturday, December 14.
Next year, the Spar Proteas will face Jamaica and participate in the Nations Cup against England, Uganda, and Malawi.
2024 Africa Netball Cup Participating Nations
NamibiaUgandaSouth AfricaEswatiniKenyaLesothoMalawiZambiaZimbabwe
Original Copy: Netball South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Pictured in this file photo after winning the recent Spar Women’s Challenge, it’s no rest for the Spar Proteas who are finalising preparations to mount their campaign to regain the Africa Netball Cup, starting in Swakopmund, Namibia on Monday, 9 December, 2024. File Photo: Supplied
