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Proteas take aim at Sunshine Girls

todayJanuary 17, 2025 31

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The SPAR Proteas will begin a busy two months with a three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Test series against number three world ranked, Jamaica, in Kingston tomorrow.

After the series with the Jamaican Sunshine Girls, the Proteas will travel to the UK to play in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup against England, Uganda and Malawi next month.

As they prepare for the first Test on Sunday morning, coach Jenny van Dyk said players are looking forward to South Africa’s first netball tour to Jamaica since 2012.

“It is always a challenge to play against Jamaica, who have a distinctive style,” said Van Dyk.

“It is more challenging now because most of their frontline players play in the Australian league, so their style is now a blend of Caribbean and Australian netball. They are an experienced team and have three fantastic shooters. Jamaica is ranked third in the world, behind Australia and New Zealand. We are thrilled to be playing them because if we want to be the best we must play the best,” she added.

The Proteas travelled more than 30 hours from Johannesburg to Kingston as they flew via Doha and New York, but Van Dyk said they have recovered from that long journey.

Captain, Khanyisa Chawane, said the players were excited to be playing against Jamaica at home.

“We are more used to playing against Australia, New Zealand and England, so this is going to be different. We know the crowd is going to be behind Jamaica, but we will deal with that. We just want to play good netball,” explained Chawane. Written by Ntsako Mkhari

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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