The SPAR National women’s netball team play their final Test against the touring Malawian team at Howard College in Durban this evening, and the 7pm start to action will be eagerly awaited by a dominant South African side.
“Yes, it was a fantastic experience, it was wonderful to break away from the loosing habit South African Netball was in,” national coach Burta de Kock told gsport after her side’s first win in five matches against Malawi on Sunday in Cape Town.
“The ladies are full of energy and excited, because now mentally, we know we have the material to go on and to do the best of netball.
“The players are working very hard, and with the help of a lot of people, all around support, really I think they also want the win, and they want to show South Africa their passion and their commitment, and just go on and do it for them!”
A significant improvement from De Kock’s perspective is the increased scoring rate, a statistic which had been of concern during the past year.
“Yes, a fantastic change with confident shooters, and also shooters that put up shots (from) any place, and any distance from the goal posts,” enthused De Kock.
But perhaps the most significant element in the South African team’s improved performance is due to the most elementary in sport: Fitness.
“I think the most important thing to look at is speed, where we totally overlapped them, and also with our fitness.
“Really, the players work very hard, and that’s a good thing. We protect the court, keep up to the pace, keep up to the way they started, and just keep on doing it.”
And a final word from the coach? “We will maybe have one or two tactical moves, just to see what the other players also can do, but as I said, we are here for a win!”
Test Matches:
21 July: Polokwane: South Africa 45-45 Malawi
23 July: Cape Town: South Africa 56-35 Malawi
25 July: Durban (Howard College) – Old Mutual Sports Centre at 19h00
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