Title holders Johannesburg make winning start at netball champs

While she admitted her team could raise their game, Johannesburg captain Monique Reyneke Meyer was pleased with their start on Monday, as the defending champions took an early lead on the senior A division log at the Spar National Netball Championships in Rustenburg.

Johannesburg opened their campaign with a crushing 74-22 victory over Buffalo City before wrapping up another convincing win, beating Cape Town 54-24.

“I’m proud of the girls for what they have done so far,” said Reyneke Meyer.

“We’re still not really where we want to be, and I feel like I’m always saying that, but there are so many talented players in the team that we can really build on what we’ve been doing today.”

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The skipper admitted they were wary of former champions Mangaung, who they were gearing up to face in their third round-robin match on Tuesday morning.

“Tomorrow is going to be a tough game. It is going to be a circle game – the shooting circles against the defending circles – and the mid-court is where we’re going to really have to focus on turning balls and executing our speed of the ball,” said Reyneke Meyer.

“There are definitely things we can do better which we didn’t do today, but we’re also going to give them (Mangaung) the respect they deserve and really go out there and give it our all because everybody wants to be in the final.”

Other results

In other matches yesterday, Tshwane were stunned by host district Dr Kenneth Kaunda in their opening match, falling in a 64-57 defeat.

The home team went on to beat Buffalo City 57-20 as they settled in second place in the standings, narrowly trailing Johannesburg on goal difference.

Mangaung defeated Cape Town 55-36, and while they were almost involved in an upset in their second match against Cape Winelands, the Free State side managed to hang on to secure a 62-58 win, settling in third position on the log.

Tshwane bounced back from their early defeat, holding off a strong challenge from Nelson Mandela Bay later in the day to earn a 55-45 victory.