Lwazi Khuboni

South Africa earned a big victory in the Netball World Cup over Jamaica in Liverpool on Sunday.

South Africa enjoyed the 55-52 win at the end of the game. The Proteas started the game very well as shooter Lenize Potgieter netted 10 out of 10 shots in the first quarter and gave the Proteas a 16-9 lead after fifteen minutes.

Jamaica, which ranks second in the world, looked to come back and improved in the second quarter. South Africa gave nothing away as they continued to frustrate Jamaica when they netted another 16 points and were leading by 32- 21 going to halftime.

Jamaica looked to find a way back in the third quarter coming really hard on the Proteas. They managed to net 17-10, and the number two ranked team were just 4 points behind the Proteas going to the final quarter.

Karla Pretorius who was named as the player of the match said, “In terms of defence at third quarter we made it easier for them going into the goal field and into the circle maybe playing a bit looser where we should have been more consistence in that defence,” she said.

The final quarter was the most difficult as both teams looked tired and made mistakes, conceding critical intercepts and penalties.

Proteas coach, Norma Plummer, re-introduced the captain and centre Bongi Msomi and the team gained a little momentum and they managed to hold on and won the game with 55-52.

“In the end we prevailed and I am so proud of them, they came through it, this is where South Africa need to stand and be counted, its first time to beat Jamaica in long time,” said Plummer.

South Africa won all their group games and they will play against Scotland on Monday.

Picture: Netball South Africa Facebook Page