Unbeaten Proteas retain Africa Netball Cup title

While head coach Dorette Badenhorst admitted they had faced some struggles on the sidelines, South Africa went undefeated at the Africa Netball Cup, retaining their title at the week-long tournament which came to a close in Windhoek on Tuesday.

The Proteas, ranked fifth in the world, won all eight of their matches against Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda and Namibia.

After thumping perennial rivals Malawi last week, earning a 56-39 victory over the world No 6 side, the Proteas faced a dangerous Uganda team, ranked seventh, in their penultimate match of the tournament on Monday.

Though the Ugandans put up a fight, trailing by just six points at half-time (28-22), the Proteas ran rampant in the closing stages to secure a comfortable 57-37 victory.

“We knew it was going to be a physical match against Uganda and we needed to be mentally ready for it,” Badenhorst said.

“There is a lot happening outside the four lines, but our job is to make sure we concentrate on the game,” she added.

“Playing against other African countries is always tough, and as I have said since day one, we will underestimate no one. Everyone gets the same respect from us.”

In their last match of the tournament on Tuesday, the South Africans ensured they remained unbeaten, coasting to a 65-39 win over hosts Namibia.

With the management team having made multiple changes through the tournament, Proteas assistant coach Dumisani Chauke was delighted with the squad’s ability to gel, regardless of which players turned out on court.

“I am really proud of how the girls rallied together and made sure that they delivered as a team,” Chauke said.

“Whoever we put in understood what the assignment was. Regardless of where you come from, the KPI’s don’t change, and we needed to make sure we delivered.”