SPAR PROTEAS MARCH ON TO THE FINALS OF THE SPAR CHALLENGE SERIES
The start of day six saw the President’s XII take on the Baby SPAR Proteas who are playing their last match of the tournament. The two have met four times before today with the President’s XII winning three times and SPAR Baby Proteas only tasted a win once.
Coming into this game, none of that really mattered as the Baby SPAR Proteas threw everything at their counterparts, it was the President’s XII that drew first blood through Talja Venter however the Baby Proteas bounced back as soon as they could, and they were leading 11-9 at the end of the first quarter.
They came into the second half with the same fire and intensity, kept applying pressure against their opponents. Brilliant defensive plan worked and kept them in the game, the Baby SPAR Proteas claimed the second quarter and won it 20-18 and this was same momentum they kept into the third quarter which they also won 31-26. The third quarter belonged to the Baby SPAR Proteas as they extended their lead by five points and clinched the quarter 31-26.
It was in the last quarter that the President’s XII dug deeper and force their way into the game, whatever coach Jenny van Dyk said to her charges during the break really worked because they reduced their 5 points deficit and eventually won the match 38-36.
SCORE BREAKDOWN
Q1: SA U21 11 – 9 President’s XII
HT: SA U21 20 – 18 President’s XII
Q3: SA U21 31 – 26 President’s XII
FT: SA U21 36 – 38 President’s XII
SHOOTING STATS
SA U21 36/48 (75%)
Elmere vd Berg: 18/21 (85.7%)
Kamogelo Maseko: 7/13 (53.8%)
Rolene Streutker: 11/14 (78.6%)
SHOOTING STATS
President’s XII 38/64 (59%)
Chante Louw: 24/35 (71.4%)
Talja Venter: 9/19 (47%)
Alicia Puren: 5/7 (71.4%)
The SPAR Proteas clashed against Namibia in the second match of the day, this is the last time these two will play each other in this tournament. South Africa have won the two matches that the two before two and they are yet to lose against Namibia ever.
South Africa come into this match high in confidence as they are yet to lose in this series, and they got off the mark very quickly. The SPAR Proteas dominated the first quarter and went to win it 12-5. As much as South Africa were putting pressure on Namibia, they were guilty in most instances of not taking their chances.
Dorette Badenhorst had made some few changes to her team giving players like Tshina Mdau, Chantelle Swart and Nonsikelelo Mazibuko a starting run. Some of the familiar faces got to start the match watching from the side lines. This was probably a strategy from the coaches to make sure that some of the players are ready and well rested for the final match against Uganda on Wednesday afternoon.
South Africa is the only side yet to lose a match in this tournament and they have already won the series already even though they still have one more game to play. Coach Badenhorst kept almost the same team playing for at least three and made some changes during the last quarter.
Namibia threw everything that they had at South Africa and made sure that they challenge the SPAR Proteas and push them as much as they can. South Africa held their own and did everything to maintain their lead. They continued stretching the lead with every quarter and made sure that they restrict Namibia from scoring.
South Africa, who have appeared untroubled throughout the tournament, played well, turning the ball frequently and keeping the shooting circle well supplied. SPAR Proteas, Coach Dorette Badenhorst was able to ring the changes, trying different combinations and giving all her players some game time. The SPAR Proteas shooters were on song and the defenders were outstanding. SPAR Proteas goalkeeper, Simone Rabie was named most valued player. “We knew they would come hard at us, but we stuck to the game plan and had the mindset to pull it through,” said SPAR Proteas assistant coach, Dumisani Chauke.
Namibian coach Julene Meyer said she was much happier.
“We started better than we did against Uganda yesterday and we competed better for the ball.
“We had some moments of brilliance. What we need to do is to stretch those moments of brilliance to become more consistent,”
Meyer said the SPAR Challenge Tri-Nations had been invaluable for the Namibian team as it strives to qualify for the Commonwealth Games next year and the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023. Namibian captain, Jatjinda Kambatuku announced her retirement of international netball after the match.
SCORE BREAKDOWN
Q1: South Africa 12 – 5 Namibia
HT: South Africa 26 – 12 Namibia
Q3: South Africa 39 – 18 Namibia
FT: South Africa 59 – 26 Namibia
SHOOTING STATS
South Africa 59/68 – 86.8%
Nonsikelelo Mazibuko: 25/30 (83.3%)
Chantelle Swart: 14/17 (82.3%)
Sian Moore: 14/14 (100%)
Renske Stoltz 6/7 (86.7%)
SHOOTING STATS
Namibia 26/38 (68.4%)
Kambatuku Jatjinda: 11/17 (64.7%)
Nanguloshi Kamutushi: 3/7 (2.97%)
Anna Kaspar 12/14 (85.7%)
