16 NOVEMBER 2021, Windhoek – The SPAR Proteas’ last match for the Africa Netball Challenge was against host Namibia in the first game on the eight (and last) day of the tournament.
South Africa came into this match as firm favourites to win this one as they have not lost a single game in the tournament thus far, however Namibia as the hosts enjoyed home ground advantage.
SPAR Proteas coach Dorette Badenhorst made a few changes from the team that played against Uganda yesterday and we saw the likes of Khanyisa Chawane, Lefebre Rademan and Ine-Mari Venter starting this morning.
The Namibian side did not sit back in the opening quarter as they took the game to South Africa as soon as the first whistle went. Julene Meyer, head coach of Namibia, made a strategic change very early in the quarter bringing in Moolman at Wing Attack. A closely contested first quarter ended 16-10 in favour of South Africa.
In the second quarter Badenhorst made a few positional changes midcourt swapping Msomi and Chawane around, Simone Rabie coming in for Phumza Maweni at the back and Jamie van Wyk at Wing Defence.
South Africa’s dominance continued in this quarter even though Namibia kept coming, the SPAR Proteas made sure that they settle in the driving seat. The defense duo of South Africa made sure that they restrict Namibia to only securing six points in fifteen minutes. The quarter ended 32-16 to the SPAR Proteas.
The third quarter was a high scoring one and it was the first time in this match that Namibia managed to score double figures against South Africa, they managed to put twelve goals against seventeen of the SPAR Proteas. As it has been the case throughout the tournament, South Africa sealed the game in this quarter and ended it 49-28. Badenhorst had also started giving some of the young players a run in this quarter.
South Africa’s winning record in this tournament remained unmatched, they are yet to lose a match in this competition. The SPAR Proteas won the match 65-39 and retained their title as Africa Netball Cup Champions.
“We knew that Namibia will give us a run for our money, we understood that they will bring their A game here today and we needed to be ready for that. I am really proud of how the girls rallied together and made sure that they deliver for the team. Whoever we put in today understood what the assignment was, regardless of where you come from the KPI’s do not change. We needed to make sure that we deliver,” said SPAR Proteas assistant coach Dumisani Chauke.
Quarter Score Breakdown:
Q1: SA 16-10 Namibia
Q2: SA 32-16 Namibia
Q3: SA 49-28 Namibia
Q4: SA 65-39 Namibia
