South Africa’s Netball Proteas Target Commonwealth Games Medal

As at 2 April 2014 South Africa’s national netball team, the Spar Proteas are ranked fifth in the world by the International Netball Federation and first in Africa ahead of Malawi following a series whitewash over Scotland recently.  Before that the Proteas trailed the Malawians but he rankings do not tell the whole story.  Of late the Proteas have managed to overcome the Malawi Queens, most notably in last year’s Africa Netball Championship almost a year ago to the day.  On that day (28 June 2013) Malawi fell 54-52 to the South Africans.

Proteas head coach Elize Kotze has deliberately organised a tough schedule for her girls, mainly to make them battle-hardened by the time the Commonwealth Games start in Glasgow.  The expectation of a nation is not lost on Kotze, “It’s a huge responsibility on the team.  We are obviously setting high standards for South African netball and our preparation at this stage is focused on being as well-equipped, conditioned and trained as we can to get that medal at the end of the day.”  Kotze says the recent Brutal Fruit Netball Cup will be a timely boost to South Africa’s efforts, “It’s gonna make a difference because these players would have had high-intensity matches every weekend where they can perform and work between the four lines that they never had previously, and it gives us desperate match time for these girls.  All the Proteas were part of the Netball Cup and it has made up a huge chunk of our preparation for the Commonwealth Games.”

Ranked sixth in the world and second in Africa, some might feel the South Africans are nothing but an outside medal bet.  Last year’s triumph in Blantyre is just one reason why Kotze begs to differ.  Another is last year’s third Test victory in Port Elizabeth against England.  “Well we passed the first hurdle last November by beating England, the world’s number three.  Australia and New Zealand is still a huge challenge for us.  I’m setting realistic goals for this team and we have to set our goals high.  In 1995 we were second in the world and these players have more opportunities now than that group had.  It is important to have continuity in the coaching staff and the basic core of the team.  It just makes things better for the future,” says coach Kotze.

The question should be asked how it is that South Africa has dropped from second-best in 1995 to a quarter-final side at World Championships these days.  Kotze’s view is there had to be an overhauling process of the sport in South Africa, “There were a lot of things that happened and we had to sort certain things out and there were imbalances that we needed to sort out and we’ve done that.  The players are happy now and we are the most transformed sport in south Africa, choosing all players on merit and there is a real competitive edge among the players.  The players are now taking on the world’s number three and four and beating them which is a tremendous confidence booster.”

Despite the strides made in the sport with the launch of the Brutal Fruit Netball Cup, the sport remains semi-professional and therefore Kotze says South Africans must be cautious when it comes to their expectations.  “What’s important is that we are being realistic about these (Commonwealth) Games.  We are not a fully professional sport in South Africa yet but that does not mean we cannot act professionally within our abilities and circumstances.  We have a huge responsibility to instill hope and trust within our supporters and our nation.  You’ve seen top teams all over the world that were favourites to win a world championship and it just didn’t happen.  We understand the challenges but our focus is on bringing back a medal for South Africa,” says Kotze.

The Spar Proteas are in Pool B at the Glasgow Games alongside Australia, England, Trinidad and Tobago, Wales and Barbados.  South Africa begin their quest for a Commonwealth medal against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, 25 July.