SPAR Proteas have to fight for victory over Uganda She Cranes

The SPAR Proteas beat Uganda by 49 goals to 34 in their second SPAR Challenge Tri Nations match at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Thursday. A clash between the SPAR Proteas and the She Cranes was never going to be an easy one. Both teams are ranked fifth and seventh respectively in the world according to the International Netball Federation. The last time these teams met, South Africa won and therefore Uganda came into this match with revenge in mind whereas South Africa had no intentions of losing on home soil.

Although it was a comprehensive victory, the She Cranes made life difficult for the South Africans, even taking the lead at one stage. This match was dubbed as the match of the day and it sure lived up to expectations as both teams did not hold back and brought everything they had to each other. Dorette Badenhorst started her game with the same team she started with in her opening match.

Midway through the second, Uganda drew level (17-17) after the SPAR Proteas squandered a five-goal lead. With two minutes to go to halftime, Uganda pulled ahead for the first time (21-20). The SPAR Proteas then scored two successive goals to end the first half with their noses just in front (22-21).

Uganda turned the first ball of the third quarter and edged ahead again. For the next few minutes the two teams slugged it out until two quick injuries to their goalshooter and wing attack seemed to take the fight out of the She Cranes. South Africa surged ahead and by the end of the third quarter had a comfortable 10-goal lead (37-27). The final quarter was something of a one-way street as South Africa scored goal after goal to finish 15 goals ahead.

Badenhorst did not really temper much with the formation of the team as she only made two changes of Tshina Mdau and Izette Griesel the entire game. This strategy yielded positive results as the team won 49-34 at the end of the clash. South African centre Izette Griesel, who came on in the third quarter, was named player of the match.

“I brought Izette on in the third quarter because I wanted her physical strength in defence. It was a tough game for some of the new caps, who are not used to this kind of physicality.”

Ugandan coach Rashid Mubiru acknowledged that his team had been affected by the two injuries. “It really upset our game plan,” he said.

Earlier, the SPAR Proteas beat Namibia 58-30, after leading 32-15 at halftime. Goal attack Monique Reynecke claimed the player of the match crown.

In the exhibition match, the President’s XII beat the SPAR Baby Proteas 51-42. Goalkeeper Pamela Chukwu was name player of the match.

The SPAR Proteas have a rest day on Friday. The SPAR Baby Proteas play the President’s XII as a curtain raiser to the match between Uganda and Namibia at 18:00.

There will be no spectators at the matches, which will be televised live on SuperSport Variety 4 (SA).