South Africa beats Namibia in opening match of Diamond Challenge

The South African Netball team beat Namibia 78-18 to win the opening match of the Diamond Challenge at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Sports Complex in Seshego on Tuesday. The match saw one of the team’s longest serving players and a formidable force in the team’s attack, Maryka Holtzhausen earning her 100th cap for the team. She …

November 28, 2018

1 minute read

The South African Netball team beat Namibia 78-18 to win the opening match of the Diamond Challenge at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Sports Complex in Seshego on Tuesday.
The match saw one of the team’s longest serving players and a formidable force in the team’s attack, Maryka Holtzhausen earning her 100^th cap for the team. She made her debut in the province in 2006 during a Diamond Challenge held at Polokwane Tennis Court.
The 31- year old goal attacker said she was happy to reach another milestone in her career. “I never thought I would have 100 caps for South Africa. It is a very special day for me and my teammates have made it even more special. I really appreciate it.”
The match was attended by the Sport, Arts and Culture MEC, Thandi Moraka, executives from Netball South Africa and government officials.
Moraka who presided over the opening ceremony thanked the executives of Netball South Africa for bring the challenge to the province. “We want to thank them, they could take to other provinces in the country but they choose our province.This tournament will inspire our youth, particularly women in rural areas to participate in sport and netball in particular. The presence of international players in the challenge young aspiring netball players from rural areas,” Moraka said.
She stressed that the tournament will certainly deepen social cohesion and African unity and position as a tourist destination. “We have supporters from neighbouring countries of Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and Botswana who are here to support their teams. I believe beyond this event all participants will seek to return as tourists to explore the breath-taking beauty and natural wonder which our country and province is.”
She also urged the community to come in their droves and support the teams. “The attendance on the first day was not satisfactory. We want to the see the complex packed. We want to see young from schools the in Seshego and surrounds during the matches.”
In the other matches of the opening match of the tournament Zimbabwe beat Botswana 43-30 while the South Africa President’s XII defeated Zambia by 48-46.