Johannesburg netball team beat the heat to top the log

Taking further steps forward on the path to the playoffs on Wednesday, defending champions Johannesburg overcame challenging conditions to take the lead in the round robin stage of the Spar National Netball Championships in Rustenburg.

In the biggest match of the day, Johannesburg stunned Dr Kenneth Kaunda, earning a 52-39 victory to hand the host district their first defeat of the tournament.

The game started at midday, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees, and Johannesburg coach Elsje Jordaan was pleased with how they were able to combat the tough conditions.

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“It’s so hot that playing at 12 (noon) must be very close to being unsafe,” Jordaan said.

“The players’ feet were burning and we tried to bring down their body temperature as well as we could with ice, but it only lasts so long and their temperature goes up again.

“So it’s definitely about player management and making changes, which we were able to do, especially in the middle (of the court) where we have a lot of running. And I thought it worked well for us.”

Log leaders

Later in the day, Johannesburg climbed to the top of the table, defeating Cape Winelands 61-46 to remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

With the Proteas players missing from the annual tournament due to international commitments, the teams were competing on a more level playing field this week than previous years, which made the competition a lot closer between the senior A-division sides.

Jordaan felt consistency was crucial for any team that wanted to lift the trophy this weekend.

“I don’t think any team at this level should be winning by big margins,” she said.

“There are good players out there, and there are lots of uncontrollables you need to deal with as a coach, but I think the team that manages the whole week the best will come out on top.”

Mangaung settled in second place in the standings after three days of competition. While they were equal on nine points with the log leaders, Johannesburg were ahead on goal difference and they held a game in hand.

Host district Dr Kenneth Kaunda were in third spot, on eight points, and Winelands and Tshwane were still in the hunt for the playoffs, having racked up five points each with one day of competition remaining in the opening round.