South Africa’s Proteas achieved a morale-boosting 54-48 victory over England’s Roses in the third netball Challenge Series Test at the Bellville Velodrome, in Cape Town, on Sunday.
Although Commonwealth Champions England won the series two-one, the South Africans can hold their heads high, after forcing the first Test on Friday into extra time.
The Proteas, current African Champions, were on fire from the start on Sunday.
Five minutes into the match, they were five goals ahead and they kept up the pressure. Phumza Maweni was outstanding as goalkeeper, succeeding with a number of turnovers. The Roses appeared slightly bemused by the pace of the South Africans and by the end of the quarter, the Proteas were 16-10 ahead.
EXCITED: Dorette Badenhorst and Captain of Proteas, Bongi Msomi were both excited after their game. Picture: Courtney Africa/ANA.
They continued the pressure in the second quarter, but England fought back and the two teams shared the quarter with 11 goals each. (27-21) Lenize Potgieter appeared to be adapting to her new role of goal attack, with Ine-Mari Venter at goalshooter.
The Roses continued their fight back in the third quarter and after 10 minutes, were level on 35-all. But the Proteas once again stepped up another gear and finished the quarter 41-36 ahead.
In the final quarter, Potgieter returned to her preferred position as goalkeeper, with the young Lefebre Rademan as goal attack. The Roses had no answer as the Proteas extended their lead, at one stage leading by 10 goals.
Although the Roses won the last two quarters, by one goal and two goals respectively, the Proteas had done their work in the first quarter and made it almost impossible for England to come back.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/SPARChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SPARChallengePOST MATCH COMMENTS
SPAR Proteas coach Dorette Badenhorst, captain Bongiwe Msomi, Player of the Match Phumza Maweni and Player of the Series Shadine van der Merwe share their thoughts on the last test against England. #SPARProteas #WeAreAllIn #TasteTheMoment pic.twitter.com/hL0Q1RIv8a
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA)
Potgieter, who had 100 per cent accuracy in the first three quarters, was named player of the match and wing defence Shadine van der Merwe the player of the series.
South Africa last beat England in the Quad Series in London earlier this year, although they lost twice to the host nation at the World Cup in Liverpool in July.
African News Agency