The SPAR Proteas came into match day two as the team high on confidence following their win yesterday. They beat Malawi 65 -25 which was their biggest win against the Malawi Queens. South Africa had made one change to the starting seven with a noticeable absence of Izette Griesel who limped off with an ankle injury yesterday and was replaced by Romé Joubert at the centre position.
The Malawi Queens made only two changes from their team that started on Thursday with Martha Dambo and Bridget Kumwenda getting the nod for Friday’s match.
Malawi started this match like a team that was on a mission to redeem themselves from Thursday’s bad game. They pushed the SPAR Proteas very early in the game as they went pound for pound.
The attacking duo of Potgieter and Rademan seems to have worked for the Proteas as they managed to peel off in the last six minutes of the first quarter and extended their lead 18 to Malawi’s 7 by the end of the first quarter. Malawi’s Jessie Mazengera seems to have been struggled as she was subbed towards the end of the first quarter however she was brought back right at the start of the second quarter.
Malawi was pushing South Africa really hard in the second quarter even though the scoreboard suggested otherwise, they made it very hard for them to get their combinations going. South Africa continued with their dominance in the second quarter and scored 17 goals whilst only conceding 8. The score at half time saw the SPAR Proteas leading 35-15.
In the third, Dorette Badenhorst made a wholesome change and saw Sikholiwe Mdletshe earning her first cap for the SPAR Proteas and becoming the third player in two days to do so. South Africa were leading 51-21 at the end of the third quarter.
Telkom Netball League defender of the tournament Nicola Smith took to court in the last quarter as a goalkeeper to earn her maiden cap for the SPAR Proteas. South Africa seemed to be in the driving seat in the fourth quarter and kept their structure even though there were fresh legs on court. Smith was very comfortable at the back and partnered very well with Reyneke as they dealt with Malawi’s attack.
Lenize Potgieter was Most Valuable Player of the day as South Africa won the match 62-29. “I enjoy playing goal attack,” she said. “It’s nice to get out of the circle and have another third of the court to play in. The fitness levels are a bit of a problem, but I am working on that. I am still on a learning curve and enjoy expanding my horizons.”
Potgieter said her experience playing in the Australian, New Zealand and English leagues had been invaluable. “I have now experienced three different styles of defence and can bring this knowledge back to the SPAR Proteas.”
Badenhorst was delighted to have clinched the series, saying this enabled her to try different combinations in the final match on Sunday. “These are ranking matches and it is always important to do well in ranking matches so that we can earn points. But there are things we want to try out and our series win gives us the freedom to do so,” said Badenhorst.
SHOOTING STATS
Q1
South Africa 18/19 94%
Malawi 7/8 87%
Q2
South Africa 17/19 89%
Malawi 8/9 88%
Q3
South Africa 16/18 88%
Malawi 6/6 100%
Q4
South Africa 11/17 64%
Malawi 8/12 66%
MATCH SHOOTING STATS
South Africa 62/73 84%
Malawi 29/35 82%
South Africa
Starting Lineup: GS Lenize Potgieter, GA Lefébre Rademan, WA Bongi Msomi (C), C Romé Joubert, WD Khanyisa Chawane, GD Shadine van der Merwe, GK Phumza Maweni
Reserves: Sigi Burger, Kamogelo Maseko, Sikholiwe Mdletshe, Monique Reyneke, Nicola Smith
Head Coach: Dorette Badenhorst
Assistant Coach: Dumisani Chauke
Malawi
Starting Lineup: GS Sindi Simtowe, GA Jessie Mazengera, WA Bridget Kumwenda, C Takondwa Lwazi, WD Grace Mwafulirwa, GD Martha Dambo, GK Towera Vinkhumbo
Reserves: Thandie Galleta, Caroline Mtukule (C), Tendai Masamba, Mary Nyirenda, Juliet Sambo
Head Coach: Peace Kaluwa
Assistant Coach: Whyte Mulilima
Umpires: Kate Stephenson (England), Gary Burgess (England), Anso Kemp (Reserve – South Africa)
