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The Spar Proteas went into their second game of the Vitality Netball World Cup beaming with confidence as they faced islanders Fiji. Coach Norma Plummer brought four changes from the team that played the opener against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday evening.
The team got off to a great start, taking an 8-1 lead within the first five minutes of the game. South Africa took the game to Fiji from the start and continued to dominate for the better part of the quarter.
The attacking duo of Renske Stoltz and Lenize Potgieter could not be missed, with Potgieter’s conversation rate at 94% and Stoltz’s at 88%. At the end of the first quarter, South Africa were 24-9 in the lead.
Captain Bongiwe Msomi, who earned her 100th cap for the Proteas, was another great player in the middle of the court. Her contribution was pivotal and impressive. She was an inspiration and a driving force with her accurate, quick passes giving her team-mates good chances to score.
At the start of the second quarter, Fiji attempted to take the game to South Africa, but the Proteas were quick to counter them and stamped their authority on the match.
The Proteas continued with their dominance throughout the second quarter and extended their second-quarter lead by an additional 23 points against Fiji’s 10. The half-time score was 47-19.
The third quarter ended with South Africa leading 67-25.
South Africa’s quick interchange passes were the difference and the game ended 90-35 in the Proteas’ favour.
Coach Norma Plummer said: “I am delighted with the performance of the team. I mean, we had to make four changes from the team that played yesterday. It really didn’t look like we had changed the team as the girls played like a well-oiled machine.
"The victory against Fiji is a good morale booster for the team as we head into our final group stage match against Jamaica. Our opponents really gave us a run for our money, and we needed that. I am also happy for the captain Bongi for her 100th test today for the Proteas.”
On Friday evening, the team got their Netball World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 76-45 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
Today, the Spar Proteas face Jamaica at 5.45pm. The match will be broadcast live on SS10.
. Meanwhile, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa travelled to Liverpool in the UK earlier this week on a two-pronged official trip.
He supported the Netball team in their opening matches, and was scheduled to engage with various stakeholders and partake in the official hand over of the torch, symbolising South Africa receiving the hosting rights for the 2023 Netball World Cup.
He is due back today and will deliver his budget speech at the Old Assembly building in Cape Town on Wednesday.
