Proteas name squad for Netball World Cup in Cape Town

Netball South Africa has announced the 15-player squad that will represent South Africa at the first ever Netball World Cup on African soil.

Proteas head coach Norma Plummer has been in camp with a group of South African-based players who are on a four-week hiatus from the Netball League. The overseas-based players were not part of this camp due to commitments in their respect leagues abroad.

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The team assembled on 7 May at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports (SAS) which has been their training base since 2022, with Plummer working closely with an Australian consultant in carefully selecting the squad.

The South Africans will be led by experienced campaigner Bongi Msomi as captain with Karla Pretorius serving as vice-captain.

As announced by Netball South Africa President, Cecilia Molokwane, Nicola Smith will be taking part in her first World Cup in the green and gold and gets the opportunity to stand tall with the rest of her teammates at the global showpiece.

The tournament will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 28 July to 6 August.

“We have been in camp since 7 May and I believe that we have worked very hard with the players at our disposal. We have had some technical and tactical aspects of the game put to the players. We managed to get some practice matches as well so that we are sure. We have chosen the best 15 players (12 traveling and 3 reserves) which we believe are the best options,” coach Plummer said.

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FEDERATION GIVES PROTEAS ITS FULL BACKING

The players will return to their respective domestic and provincial teams for the remainder of the league which ends on 1 July 2023. They will assemble again in Stellenbosch for the final stretch of the World Cup preparations.

“As a federation, we have given coach Norma and management team all the support they needed in preparing the best team for the World Cup. This will be for the first time in sixty years that a Netball World Cup is hosted on African soil, therefore our expectation for podium finish as hosts is a fair one. We can’t host and become spectators in our own backyard – we need to make sure that South Africa and other African countries make it to the podium come 6 August 2023,” said Cecilia Molokwane, Netball South Africa President.

“We have spoken to the players and team at large about the importance of this world cup and what we expect of them without applying any pressure on them. From Netball South Africa, we are pleased with the selected players, and we know for sure that they will do well. We are throwing all the much-needed support to the team, and we have full confidence in that and what they can deliver for us. This is their one chance to write their names in the history books,” conclude Molokwane.

The 2023 Netball World starts on 28 July to 6 August 2023 and will be played at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), and all matches will be broadcast on both free to air SABC and pay TV channel SuperSport.

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PROTEAS SQUAD FOR 2023 NETBALL WORLD CUP

Bongiwe Msomi (captain), Karla Pretorius (vice-captain), 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.