FAST5 Men's Captain Vukile Zulu Answers Five Questions

Vukile Zulu has been named the men’s SA FAST5 team captain for the 2023 FAST5 Netball World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand, 11-12 November.

This will also mark the first time South Africa’s Men’s FAST5 team competes in the series. The men will face their counterparts from Australia and New Zealand.

FAST5 is netball like you’ve never seen before: five players per side, shorter quarters, power plays, and super shots – this is a game you won’t want to miss! We caught up with captain Vukile in the buildup to the competition.

When you hear FAST5 netball what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Speed, entertainment and just a fun version of netball.

What are things about the FAST5 format that really excites you?
It has to be the power play, getting points doubled when it’s the power play, the team also get motivated double to push for more, so yeah that really excites me.

What extra skills help you be a better FAST5 player?
I will say decision making, knowing when to take three points and and when to take one point, because I think by taking correct decisions, it will reduce pressure for our defense and the team. For defense knowing how to use turnovers is very important in this format, and helping the attack with transition from the back to our shooters.

What are the things on court you as team will be looking to incorporate?
Working as a team at all times. We are all young in this team, so we have to lift one another everytime and enjoy the game, another thing is control, controlling and converting our centre passes, that’s the most important thing we will try to do.

What’s your message to all the fans back home?
It’s such an honour to represent our country, and we are ready to go out there and do our best. Thank you and continue showing us support we really appreciate it.

South Africa’s FAST5 Men’s Squad:
Shane Labuschagne, Riyazz Lavendal, William Lethoko, Itumeleng Mohanoe, Njabulo Nekhavhambe, Vukile Zulu, Zakhele Msimango, Athenkosi Pieterse, Kabelo Mahalane and Nico Pieters
Non-Traveling: Kgontsi Mabusela

Neville Chapepa (Head Coach)
Themba Ntuli (Assistant Coach)
Olian Thobejane (Team Manager)
Matome Seroto (Physiotherapist)

The FAST5 Netball World Series will be broadcast 11-12 November 2023 LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4 (Channel 209) from 01:15 on 11 November and 00:45 12 November. All times CAT.

*South Africa’s Women’s and Men’s FAST5 matches

*Schedule subject to change at short notice.

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

Power Play: The last 90 seconds of playing time in each quarter is designated as the ‘Power Play Period’ for both teams. During the ‘Power Play Period’ all goals scored a doubled.

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 two-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).