Proteas eager to sharpen up for World Cup in Netball Quad Series

Just six months out from the Netball World Cup, which will be played in front of their home crowd for the first time, head coach Norma Plummer is hoping the Proteas make full use of the Quad Series competition starting in Cape Town this weekend against the world’s top three teams.

Ranked fifth in the world, Plummer admits the SA side will need to be at their best when they open their 2023 campaign with a Quad Series match against New Zealand on Saturday, but she is confident they have the ability to make a statement in the build-up to the global showpiece, also to be held in the Mother City later this year.

“We have a combination of good players, both experienced and young,” said Plummer, who was reappointed as head coach of the national team late last year.

“We just need to make sure that we manage them well going into the series and make sure that we get the best from everyone.

“The Quad Series is an important one, especially during a World Cup year, and because we are also playing teams that are ranked above us, we will get to punch above our own weight. I think we have a chance to cause a few upsets.”

Returning to action

Plummer got an opportunity to assess the depth of the national squad in November when the Proteas and an invitation SA Presidents XII both went unbeaten in their matches against lower-ranked Scotland and Zimbabwe in the Diamond Challenge series in Pretoria.

After a short December break, the squad reassembled this week, and Plummer was eager to showcase their ability during the Quad Series tournament against Australia, England and New Zealand, as she looked to continue refining her squad for the World Cup.

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“The Test series against Zimbabwe and Scotland was great competition as it allowed us to look at players and choose the ones who would be selected for the Quad Series,” Plummer said.

“We have a lot of work to do on our journey to the World Cup, but we have assembled a very competitive team which will be great to watch as they take on the top three ranked nations in the world.”