SOUTH AFRICA BEAT NAMIBIA AND PRESIDENT’S XII SECURE WIN AGAINST SPAR BABY PROTEAS
South Africa opened the SPAR Challenge Tri Nations series like a house on fire when they took on Namibia, they drew first blood very early in the game as they enjoyed a four point lead in the first four minutes of the game, Namibia only scored their first point after five minutes.
Dorette Badenhorst gave two new players their maiden caps, Nonsikelelo Mazibuko as a goal shooter and Simone Rabie partnered with Monique Reyneke who is also her defence partner at the North West Flames.
The experience of the SPAR Proteas really showed as they dominated the better of the first quarter and made Namibia work very hard for possession. Captain Bongiwe Msomi became South Africa most capped player earning her 121st cap today and surpassed the record of retired Erin Burger.
Debutant Nonsikelelo Mazibuko seemed very composed as a shooter as she gelled comfortably with Renske Stoltz in attack. South Africa took a nine point lead to the end of the first quarter as they led 16 -7 at the end of the quarter.
The start of the second quarter was no different as the SPAR Proteas were quick off the mark and made sure that they extend their lead as early as they could. They took a 17 point lead to the break leading the game 32 -15 at the end.
The SPAR Proteas continued with their dominance throughout the match regardless of how hard Namibia fought back. This win will do a whole of good for the SPAR Proteas later today as they are set to face the She Cranes from Uganda for their second clash of the tournament. Dorette Badenhorst managed to use all her 12 players during this match and allowed all her five new players get their maiden debut caps.
SCORE BREAKDOWN
Q1: South Africa 16 – 7 Namibia
HT: South Africa 32 – 15 Namibia
Q3: South Africa 47 – 22 Namibia
FT: South Africa 58 – 30 Namibia
SHOOTING STATS – South Africa
Nonsikelelo Mazibuko: 21/25 (84%)
Renske Stoltz: 11/11 (100%)
Sian Moore: 23/27 (85%)
Chantelle Swart: 3/7 (43%)
The second match of the day saw the Baby SPAR Proteas taking on the President’s XII team and this game had all the elements of an exciting encounter. The under 21’s did not hold anything back as they made their intentions very clear from the onset. They did not play small as the junior but took the game to the President’s XII. They took a lead immediately from centre pass. For the better part of the quarter, they enjoyed a point difference lead right until the last two minutes of the quarter when they lost the momentum and lost their lead, first quarter saw the President XII lead 13 -12 by the time it ended.
The experience of the President’s XII came to the party at the start of the second quarter as they cemented their place and extended their lead by four points averagely for the whole quarter. This did not deter the Babies in no way as they kept fighting their way back, at the end of the second quarter, President’s XII were leading 26 -25.
Despite losing the match, the Baby SPAR Proteas put a good fight and gave everything that they had to make sure that they leave everything on court. Even with this fighting spirit, it was the President’s XII that came out as winners. Even with this loss, the under 21 coach Dr Elsje Jordaan can be very proud of her charges as they showed some real character. The matches ended 51 -42 to the President’s XII.
SCORE BREAKDOWN
Q1: Baby SPAR Proteas 12 – 13 Presidents XII
HT: Baby SPAR Proteas 25 – 26 Presidents XII
Q3: Baby SPAR Proteas 33 – 46 Presidents XII
FT: Baby SPAR Proteas 42 – 56 Presidents XII
MATCH SHOOTING STATS
SA U21 42/57 (73.7%)
Rolene Streutker 27/31 (87%)
Lucy Strydom 4/8 (50%)
Elmeré van der Berg 11/18 (61%)
President’s XII 51/68 (75%)
Chanté Louw 40/51 (78%)
Nichole Taljaard 10/16 (62%)
Talja Venter 1/1 (100%)
#SPARBabyProteas #PresidentsXII #WeAreAllIn #SPARChallenge
