FAST5 Netball World Series Everything You Need To Know - South Africa

The ninth edition of the FAST5 Netball World Series takes place this weekend in Christchurch, New Zealand. Here is everything you need to know from a South African perspective.

The first three years was known as FastNet and was held in England 2009-2011. The next three years were held in Auckland, New Zealand 2012-2014. 2016-2018 it was held in Melbourne, Australia. Netball New Zealand will host the FAST5 Netball World Series from 2022 until 2024. The 2022, 2023 and 2024 tournaments will be played in Christchurch.

Only three teams have lifted the trophy – New Zealand seven times, England twice and Australia twice.

Competition Records:
Biggest win: 34 goals (New Zealand 52-18 Jamaica, 2012) & (Malawi 46-12 Jamaica, 2016) & (New Zealand 50-16 Jamaica, 2023)
Most goals in a match: 89 (New Zealand 58-31 South Africa, 2013)
Most goals by a team: 58 (New Zealand 58-31 South Africa, 2013)
Least goals in a match: 37 (Jamaica 21-16 England, 2011)
Least goals by a team: 8 (Australia 30-8, South Africa, 2014)

South Africa did not compete in the first year of FastNet (2009) as they were ranked outside the top-six.

Their final standings were:
2010 (Liverpool) = 6th (FastNet)
2011 (Liverpool) = 5th (FastNet)
2012 (Auckland) = 3rd (FAST5 NWS)
2013 (Auckland) = 4th (FAST5 NWS)
2014 (Auckland) = 5th (FAST5 NWS)
2016 (Melbourne) = 6th (FAST5 NWS)
2017 (Melbourne) = 5th (FAST5 NWS)
2018 (Melbourne) = 6^th (FAST5 NWS)
2022 (Christchurch) = 2^nd (FAST5 NWS)
2023 (Christchurh) = 4^th (FAST5 NWS)

South Africa has played a total of 62 matches, winning 20, losing 41 and one draw (against England).

The 20 wins were over Malawi (seven), Jamaica (five), Fiji (two), Australia (two), England (two), Uganda (one) and New Zealand (one).

South Africa beat New Zealand in FAST5 for the very first time in 2022, by one goal (38-37).

South Africa’s best performance in FAST5 was in 2022 when they won the silver medal playing against Australia in the final. 2022 was also the first time Australia won the title. South Africa won the bronze medal in 2012.

Nichole Breedt (nee Taljaard) was named the FAST5 Player of the Series in 2022.

South Africa’s records:
Biggest win: 25 goals (South Africa 45-20 Jamaica, 2014)
Biggest defeat: 33 goals (New Zealand 52-19 South Africa, 2012)
Most goals scored: 48 (South Africa 48-34 Malawi, 2012)
Least goals scored: 8 (Australia 30-8 South Africa, 2014)
Most goals conceded: 58 (New Zealand 58-31 South Africa, 2013)
Least goals conceded: 17 (South Africa 23-17 Fiji, 2011), (South Africa 28-17 Malawi, 2017), (South Africa 33-17 Jamaica, 2023)

Martha Mosahle-Samm is in her third year as head coach. The team was previously coached by Dorette Badenhorst (2018), Elsjé Jordaan (2016 and 2017), Elize Kotzé (2011 and 2014), Lana Krige (2012 and 2013) and Carin Strauss (2010).

Mosahle-Samm has the best winning percentage with 50%, followed by Krige with 43%.

Shannen Bartlett is in her first year as captain (she was the vice-captain in 2023). She is the seventh player to lead the team and follows in the footsteps of, Jeanie Steyn (2022-2023), Shadine van der Merwe (2018), Lauren-Lee Christians (2016-2017), Maryka Holtzhausen (2013-2014), Simi Mdaka (2012) and Amanda Mynhardt (2010-2011).

The team has had the best winning percentage (66%) under Simnikiwe Mdaka as captain.

Maryka Holtzhausen with six tournaments (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017) is the most experience South African player in FAST5 netball.

Only two players remain of the 2022 squad that won silver: Shannen Bartlett and Zandré Smit and four from last year (2023): Zandré Smit, Shannen Bartlett (C) Amber Coraizin and Ané Retief.

Six will make their debut for the SA FAST5 team in 2024: Rolene Streukter, Kamogelo Maseko, Lefébre Rademan, Sanmarie Visser, Boitumelo Mahloko and Syntiche Kabuya.

The management team for 2024 will be in the third FAST5 Netball World Series campaign: Martha Mosoahle-Samm (Head Coach), Erin Burger (Assistant Coach), Tholakele Nsele (Team Manager) and Narita du Toit (Physiotherapist)

Of the 2024 FAST5 squad, five players have represented the SPAR Proteas on international level: Rolene Streukter, Kamogelo Maseko, Lefébre Rademan, Boitumelo Mahloko and Ané Retief

The 2024 FAST5 Netball World Series will also mark the second time South Africa’s Men’s FAST5 team competes in the series. The men will again face their counterparts from Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand won the men’s final in 2022 and 2023 against Australia.

South Africa’s FAST5 men’s squad is: William Lethoko (GS); Shane Labuschagne (GS/GA; Eugene Sinxesi (GA/GS); Fred Damons (GA/C); Sibongakonke Vava (C/GA); Itumeleng Mohanoe (C); Njabulo Nekhavhambe (GD); Sicelo Gamede (GD/GK); Edward Manyathela GK/GD; Vukile Zulu (GK). Team Management: Neville Chapepa (Head Coach); Themba Ntuli (Assistant Coach); Olian Thobejane (Team Manager); Matome Seroto (Physio)

The FAST5 Netball World Series will be broadcast 9-10 November 2024 LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4 (Channel 209). All times CAT.

The SA Teams

• Females: Rolene Streukter (GS); Zandré Smit (GS); Kamogelo Maseko (GA); Lefébre Rademan (GA); Shannen Bartlett (C); Amber Coraizin (C); Sanmarie Visser (GD); Boitumelo Mahloko (GD); Ané Retief (GK); Syntiche Kabuya (GK)
• Non-travellers: Tarle Mathe (C); Nicholé Taljaard (GA)
• Team Management: Martha Mosoahle-Samm (Head Coach); Erin Burger (Assistant Coach); Tholakele Nsele (Manager); Narita du Toit (Physio)
• Males: William Lethoko (GS); Shane Labuschagne (GS/GA; Eugene Sinxesi (GA/GS); Fred Damons (GA/C); Sibongakonke Vava (C/GA); Itumeleng Mohanoe (C); Njabulo Nekhavhambe (GD); Sicelo Gamede (GD/GK); Edward Manyathela GK/GD; Vukile Zulu (GK)
• Non-travellers: Lutendo Maiwashe (GS); Gavin Peters (C)
• Team Management: Neville Chapepa (Head Coach); Themba Ntuli (Assistant Coach); Olian Thobejane (Team Manager); Matome Seroto (Physio)

Fixtures LIVE (SA Time)
9 November 2024

10 November 2024

Repeat Times On SuperSport (SA Time)
9 November 2024

10 November 2024

Learn more about the FAST5 Netball World Series

*Schedule subject to change at short notice.

Some Quick FAST5 Rules
NEW RULE Possession: Once the ball has progressed out of one-third of the court (towards the attacking team’s scoring end], it cannot be passed backwards into that third again.

NEW RULE Power Play: The last 2 minutes of playing time in each quarter is designated as the Power Play Period for both teams. During the ‘Power Play Period, only 2 and 3 goal point shots are doubled in value. 1 goal point shots remain 1 point during this time.

Substitutions: FAST5 includes rolling substitutions, which means a change can be made at any stage of the game, during breaks or during play.

Centre Passes: All centre passes will be taken by the team that did not score the last goal. The coin toss at the start of the game determine which team takes the first centre pass in each quarter. The coin toss winner: Chooses the centre pass in either the 1^st and 3^rd quarters or 2^nd and 4^th quarters. The coin toss loser: Takes the first centre pass in the quarters not chosen by the winning team.

Goal Scoring: There are three different scoring zones in FAST5. Inner circle (3,5m) for 1 point. Outer circle (3,5m-4,9m) for 2 points. Goal third for the Super Shot 3 points.

Timing: Four six-minute quarters with a four-minute interval at halftime and one-minute intervals after the first and third quarters.

The Team: In FAST5 there’s only five playing positions with two shooters (GS and GA), two defenders (GK and GD) and one midcourter (C).