PROTEAS MAKES HISTORY WITH NETBALL VICTORY AGAINST ENGLAND

In the hard-fought 2-1 series victory in the SPAR Challenge international netball Test series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa's Proteas defeated England 65-50 on Sunday.

The home team's defenders, Sanmarie Visser (who won player of the series) on goal defence and Juanita van Tonder at custodian, made several outstanding turnovers in the circle to give the South Africans an early lead in a frantic first quarter. The Proteas maintained their dominance, increasing their lead to seven goals by the end of the quarter (16-9) thanks to the SA midcourt's strong play and the shooters' accuracy.

At the beginning of the second quarter, when the South Africans were still dominating, Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk made no adjustments. None of the momentum was lost, even when centre Tarle Mathe had to leave the court due to an injury, so that Refiloe Nketsa could take his place.

The Proteas continued to increase their lead, leading 36–21 at the half after an exciting display of netball that delighted the almost full audience with smooth passes, fantastic interceptions, and spot-on shooting. The visitors had barely missed the quarter score by one goal (17-16), and the Proteas led 52-38 at the half.

In what ended up being another hotly contested quarter, there were many weary individuals on both sides as the time ran out and the game's tempo significantly decreased. But in the end, the South Africans won the game and the series 2-1 thanks to their outstanding first-half performance. Following Saturday's defeat, captain Khanyasi Chawane praised her squad for recovering following some "hard conversations."

"It was incredible. I believe I simply enjoyed the hunger. Everyone on the floor was clearly motivated to win, she remarked. "We pursued every ball." We altered our bodies even if a ball was thrown in a different direction. We were on every loose ball. And that effort made it clear that everyone wanted to take this. I adored the intensity and the way it was built up to the victory.

Giving their players game time throughout the series, creating various combinations, and yet winning was an objective accomplished for coaches Van Dyk and Zanele Mdodana.

"Today was a clinical performance and just a team that responded so well to the plan and to what we knew we had to get done out there today," Van Dyk said following Sunday's game. So, I'm really proud of the squad and the guys.