“We want to play winning netball: Flawless, disciplined and controlled,” said coach Elize Kotze as the SPAR Proteas prepare for their first test match in a three test series against England in Bath on Sunday.
(Click to read the squad announcement on gsport)
“Our past experiences, have matured not only me as a coach, but the whole team,” said coach Elize Kotze on Saturday. “It would be very naïve of me to tell my players that they have to win tomorrow, but we will be going into the game with a winning mentality.”
The SPAR Proteas arrived in Bath on Thursday, and have since then had a number of strong training sessions, focussing on ball possession and endurance. “I am satisfied with the planning and training that we’ve done in preparation for tomorrow’s game,” said Kotze.
“We’ve had enough time to focus on each individual facet of the game, and are going into the match treating every single ball possession individually.”
Kotze has been pushing the players in short but intense training sessions to build their endurance on court. In previous matches, the Proteas have given top netball nations a run for their money.
“In the World Cup we held our own against New Zealand for two quarters, last year in the Quad Series we put up a fight against England for three, now all we need is 60 minutes.”
The South African team will take on third-world ranked England at the University of Bath at 13h30 (UK time), 14h30 (SA time). Matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
The England vs SPAR PRoteas International Series Fixtures: Sun 22, 14h30: Sept at the University of Bath, Bath Wed 25, 20h45: Sept at the Wembley Arena, London Fri 27, 20h45: Sept at the University Arena, Worcester SPAR National Netball Team: Melissa Myburgh Lindie Lombard Yolandi Stone Maryka Holtzhausen (Captain) Bongiwe Msomi (Captain) Simnikiwe Mdaka Nokuthula Qegu Karla Mostert Precious Mthembu Adele Niemand Vanes-Mari du Toit Nontle Gwavu England Seniors: Sara Bayman (Vice-Captain) Sophia Candappa Kadeen Corbin Ama Agbeze Eboni Beckford-Chambers Pamela Cookey (Captain) Sasha Corbin Rachel Dunn Serena Guthrie Natalie Haythornthwaite Laura Malcolm Stacey Francis Joanne Harten Lindsay Keable Rachel Shaw
(With editing by gsport)
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