Proteas target breakthrough as they prepare for Test series against tough Diamonds

The Spar Proteas will be hoping to apply the lessons from a hard-fought Test series in New Zealand, where they came agonisingly close to a win in the final match, to an equally challenging three-Test series against world No 1 Australia.

The national netball team showed great fight against the Silver Ferns in the third and final Test of the Taini Jamison Trophy series in Invercargill on Sunday, before the hosts snatched a 57–56 victory in the dying seconds to complete a 3–0 series sweep.

For the first time in 40 meetings between the two nations, the Proteas led the Silver Ferns in two quarters, thanks to their intensity, speed and all-round hustle. But errors in judgement and execution late in the match proved costly, as they struggled to sustain the earlier tempo.

Proteas assistant coach Zanele Mdodana said she was proud of her troops despite Sunday’s “bittersweet loss”.

“We had already lost the trophy, but we knew we had to go out and play for South Africa and play for each other. The team showed resilience, hunger and relentlessness and refused to throw in the towel. They wanted to walk off the court having earned the respect of the Silver Ferns, and they did a stellar job at that.”

Head coach Jenny van Dyk made a few changes to her starting seven going into captain Khanyisa Chawane’s 100th Test match and will be pleased with the depth at her disposal on both ends of the court.

Elmere van der Berg was metronomic with her goal shooting throughout the series, often keeping the Proteas in contention. She didn’t look back after taking over from Rolene Streutker as goal shooter in the first Test and will once again be key to South Africa’s hopes in Australia. Kamogelo Maseko and Owethu Ngubane will provide additional goal-scoring threats.

Jamie van Wyk and Sanmarie Visser are developing into a formidable partnership in the defensive circle, while the likes of skipper Chawane, Refilwe Nketsa and Tarle Mathe have kept things ticking over in the engine room. Yet, if the Proteas are to secure a first win against Australia, all players will need to step up.

“It’s been an unbelievable process of growth, with the buy-in of the girls and changing the narrative,” Mdodana said.

“It was a holistic team effort, and this sets us up perfectly for our upcoming series against Australia. It gives us the confidence to know we can compete, stay in these games, and be able to change gears with every quarter that we play.

“We can’t ignore the effort and grit of the troops, so we’re looking forward to what the next three Tests against the No 1-ranked team in the world have in store for us.”

The three-Test series against the Aussie Diamonds starts with Saturday’s Test in Bendigo. South Africa and Australia have played each other 46 times, with Australia winning all matches.