The Spar Proteas final 15-squad that will represent South Africa in the Vitality Netball World Cup 2023 was announced on Friday evening at the SuperSport studios in Randburg, Gauteng.
South Africa will be hosting the World Cup in Cape Town from 28 July to 6 of August 2023. The Mzansi side is seeded in Pool C alongside Jamaica, Wales, and Sri Lanka.
RARING FOR THE NETBALL WORLD CUP
The Spar Proteas captain Bongi Msomi explained that she thinks with this kind of squad selection they stand a better chance to go far in the competition. The inclusion of experienced players, those who play abroad, and the ones who are participating in the TNL is definitely a great foundation.
“We’ve got a couple of players who have been in the 2019 world cup. Experience every now and then counts and I think at this stage it looks like almost all players are on form. And that’s what I think will probably take us through,” said Msomi.
“We know there are players who are still overseas, playing for their clubs that side that were not here today. So, I think with that and the blend of Telkom Netball League going well and competition is tight this year. Also, knowing that the girls are coming overseas on form – will give us the edge.
“Also knowing the squad players have been working together with coach Norma [Plummer] before doesn’t feel like this is all new but just picking up from where we left before,” she added.
Msomi went on to encourage the selected players and emphasised how the team is prepared to start working together.
“There’s also a lot of work ahead of us and there’s a lot of work that we have done this far. But we know the journey that we are embarking on is going to be a tough and exciting one. Putting on the work from day one. Yes it’s also going to be challenging. But we are ready and we are going to take it on as we go.
“We are looking forward to getting together as the squad that was called today,” She concluded.
SPAR PROTEAS SQUAD
SQUAD – Bongiwe Msomi (c), Karla Pretorius (vc) Khanyisa Chawane, Izette Griesel, Owethu Ngubane. Refiloe Nketsa, Phumza Maweni, Lenize Potgieter, Lefebre Rademan, Nicola Smith. Jeante Strydom, Nichole Taljaard, Elmere van der Berg, Shadine van der Merwe & Ine-Mari Venter.
By Sinolwetu Tompela
