SPAR Proteas overcome spirited Malawi fightback to secure series spoils
The SPAR Proteas were handed a tough start to their second Test of the SPAR Challenge, hosted by the City of Johannesburg, but ultimately overcame Malawi 69-38 to secure the series at the Ellis Park Arena on Saturday.
Coach Jenny van Dyk made several changes to the lineup that started the first Test on Thursday, with Khanyisa Chawane starting at wing attack, Tarle Mathe at centre, Jeanté Strydom at wing defence and the player who made her SPAR Proteas debut in the opening match, Ané Retief, starting at goalkeeper.
Having gone down by 37 goals on Thursday, the Malawi Queens looked determined to turn things around in the opening quarter. They came out firing, executing slick passes, upping the tempo, maintaining focus, and managing to open up a three-goal lead on the SPAR Proteas at one stage.
The visitors came close to winning the first quarter, but the home side managed to level matters at 13-13 by the end of the first period.
After what eventual MVP Kamogelo Maseko referred to as a spirited “pep talk” at the break the SPAR Proteas settled into their game in the second quarter, scoring seven unanswered to eventually reach half time at a far more comfortable score of 29-22.
The South African coaches substituted players at regular intervals throughout the second half as they tested several different combinations, with all but Owethu Ngubane getting court time on the day.
The home side dominated the half, their superior fitness and concentration proving key to extending their lead to 47-28 by the end of the third quarter and adding another 22 goals in the final quarter to finish the game 69-38 ahead.
SPAR Proteas Assistant Coach Zanele Mdodana said after the match that her side were expecting the backlash from Malawi.
“Malawi told us yesterday at our players’ function they were going to come all guns blazing. We expect nothing less from the Malawi Queens. They always elevate their game when they come up against the SPAR Proteas,” said Mdodane
“It was a bit of a slow start from us. They really increased the pace in that first quarter, and they had a specific pattern that they were playing but we were not quick enough to convey that message to our players in that first quarter so that they could quickly adapt.
“But we’re extremely happy. We were put under tremendous pressure in that first quarter… It was good for us to see that we can be in a tight fix but then be able to put our foot on the accelerator and pull away and how those new combinations really slotted in so well. It’s a good sign for us,” she added.
Named Most Valuable Player after another excellent performance, Maseko, said the team knew to simply stick to their goals.
“There is comfort in knowing that you have a game plan that you practise, it’s second nature so we were honestly not too fazed,” she said of the first quarter score. “We said the second half was where we wanted to hit them hard because we believe it’s where our fitness is going to carry us.”
As for the pep talk, Maseko quipped: “Our coaches have strong personalities, both of them, so when they say something it’s loud and clear. It’s loud enough for everyone to understand. But basically, in conclusion, they said: ‘This is ours and we are taking it.’”
Malawi coach Joanna Kachilika said her side stuck to the plan in the first quarter but then lacked the consistency to keep the pressure on South Africa.
“I told them to keep the possession. They should play man-to-man, and they should be mobile, and they stuck to the rules which I gave them. That’s why the first quarter went well,” she said.
“We do communicate while they are playing but, with the noise inside the court, I think some didn’t get the message, or they do get the message, but with the pressure of the game, they just play according to that,” she added of how her team lost focus.
Meanwhile, earlier in the curtain-raiser match South Africa’s men’s side came from a goal down after the first quarter to beat Zimbabwe’s men 46-41 and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. They will go head-to-head one more time at 1pm on Sunday.
The SPAR Challenge continues on Sunday as well with the SPAR Proteas taking on the Malawi Queens in the third and final Test at 3pm.
SPAR Proteas v Malawi
Q1: 13-13
Q2: 29-22 (16-9)
Q3: 47-28 (18-6)
Q4: 69-38 (22-10)
Most Valuable Player: Kamogelo Maseko (RSA)
South Africa men v Zimbabwe men
Q1: 9-10
Q2: 21-18 (12-8)
Q3: 33-28 (12-10)
Q4: 46-41 (13-13)
