Proteas call up a mixture of veterans and rookies for Down Under

Five changes were made to the Proteas netball team on Thursday as they gear up for the second edition of the four-nation Quad Series starting in Australasia next month.

National coach Norma Plummer announced a 12-member squad after a five-day training camp in Pretoria.

Former captain Maryka Holthausen, returning from injury, Nadia Uys Pienaar, who has spent five years in the wilderness, and Rochelle Loubser were all recalled.

Teenager Danelle Lochner, who played at the recent Youth World Cup in Botswana where the Baby Proteas finished sixth, and Ina-Marie Venter have also been drafted in for the first time.

Lindie Lombard, Renske Stolz, Izette Lubbe, Juline Rossouw and Vanes-Mari du Toit, who all played in the inaugural edition of the Quad Series earlier this year, made way for the recalled players and newcomers.

Versatile midfielder Bongi Msomi retained the captaincy and Karla Mostert would again turn out as her deputy.

“I think everyone at this camp realised from the start it wasn’t going to be easy to choose the 12. It’s really good for us because then no-one can just relax and think they’ve made it,” Msomi said.

“So I’m excited, we’re happy, and we’re just looking forward to all the challenges ahead.”

Aside from the first two legs of Quad Series, which would see the world No 5 Proteas again taking on the top three teams in the global rankings – Australia, New Zealand and England – the team would also play two upcoming Tests against Fiji.

Another camp was expected to be held later this year in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next season.

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