A clinical performance from the Proteas, disappointing one by the Queens

November 27, 2020November 27, 2020 Sindiswa Ganda 0 Comments

The South Africa Spar Proteas ran riot over the Malawi Queens in their opening match of a three-game test series currently taking place at the Sun City Arena, with a record-breaking score of 65-25.

The win is the Proteas second consecutive win against the Queens since the World Cup, with the first being last year at the Africa Championship decider which was a contrast to last night’s game.

Even with the Queens missing their two shooting stars in Mwai Kumwenda, Joyce Mvula at the post, as well as their starting goalkeeper in Lauren Ngwira, expectations of a tightly contested match were very much at play.

The Queens are known for their patient possession play on the attack and tight one on one contest on the defence of which both were lacking in this game. From the first whistle, the Queens were on their back foot and caught on a chase of a far more polished and quick ball movement Proteas attack.

Spearheaded by the experienced Captain Bongi Msomi with Izette Griesel, the Proteas proved early on the far more in tune, as well more practised of the two teams.

The Proteas come into this series with two of their most experienced and regular defence end players out due to injuries; Karla Pretorious, and Zanele Vimbela who has also been ruled out for the 2021 VNSL due to an ACL sustained at the TNL.

With that in mind, one would have been in doubt as to how will Coach Dorette Badenhorst approach this unplanned change and keep her troops in song. However, if tonight’s game is anything to go by, Shadine Van Der Merwe and Monique Reyneke have sealed those doubts. The duo who shared the GD position as well the third quarter together, with a surprise move of VDM to GK, never skipped a bit making life extremely hard for the Queens attack end lead by Sindi Simtowe who started at GS.

With the foundation team doing everything right, the Proteas Coach DB had the luxury of making changes under no pressure at all. The introduction of debutant Tshina Mdau, who made her long-awaited dream debut at WD and claiming a brilliant intercept with her second touch to the ball was as smooth a transaction as you can ever get.

Probably the highlight of the evening would have been the 2nd debutant of the evening, 18-year-old Kamogelo Maseko who came in at GA. The Baby Protea shooter has been a revelation. Since being picked up by Dr Jordaan for the u/21 squad that will compete in Fiji next year. Coming in and facing the Queens Captain Caroline Mtukulwe would have possibly had anyone nervous but Maseko. The young shooter has made her strides into the Senior squad and fitted in like a glove, encouraged by her senior squad members.

Coach DB has been focused on building the depth of the squad going into 2023. Speaking on her debutants, Coach DB went on to praise the girls on their outstanding performances.

All in all, a well rounded and clinical performance by the Proteas, and a rather disappointing one from the Queens.

However, I may have expected too much from a side that hasn’t played any competitive netball whatsoever since the Pandemic hit Africa.

I do expect the Queens to come back a different side. The experienced players in Tokonda Lwazi, Sindi Mtowe, Towera Vinkhumbo will have to step up and shoulder their young guns. The coaching staff and players will all reflect on this game want to do more, knowing that they are capable of so much better.

I expect a wounded and fired up Malawi team that will take it to the Proteas tomorrow.

MATCH SHOOTING STATS

🇿🇦 South Africa 65/72 90%

🇲🇼 Malawi 25/36 69%

🇲🇼 Malawi Starting 7

GS Sindi Simtowe, GA Jessie Mazengera, WA Thandie Galleta, C Takondwa Lwazi, WD Grace Mwafulirwa, GD Caroline Mtukule (C), GK Towera Vinkhumbo

Head Coach: Peace Kaluwa

Subs

Martha Dambo, Tendai Masamba, Beatrice Mpinganjira, Mary Nyirenda, Maggie Sikwese

za South Africa Starting 7

GS Lenize Potgieter, GA Lefébre Rademan, WA Izette Griesel, C Bongi Msomi (C), WD Khanyisa Chawane, GD Shadine van der Merwe, GK Phumza Maweni

Head Coach: Dorette Badenhorst