The DSNC about to reach the pinnacle

The 2023 DSTV Schools Netball Challenge (DSNC) is approaching the business end as day two of the national finals saw teams battle it out through the beginning of the knockout stages of the tournament.

The competition is in its third year and it gives teams from around the country, from both urban and rural areas, a platform to compete on the same level.

The DSNC is a partnership between MultiChoice and the South African Schools Netball. The competition is divided into two streams, Botho (urban) and Ubuntu (rural).

It offers a platform for players from all schools around the country to experience the highest level of competition in schools netball. This partnership aims to unearth, nurture, and support the next generation of Spar Proteas.

There will be a new Ubuntu team that will be crowned in the final on Sunday. The 2022 winners, KwaZakhele High School didn’t make it to the national finals and this opens up a chance for a different school to possibly walk away with the title.

Day two of the DStv Schools Netball Challenge national finals is a wrap! Tomorrow we dive into the final day, where not only will the girls play their hearts out to be crowned the winner of the 2023 instalment of this tournament, but they also stand a chance to win a trip to the… pic.twitter.com/5IMQUNwg9p— DStv Netball (@DStvNetball) July 22, 2023

The knockout stages offered incredible encounters which produced close results. The match between Manzomthombo Secondary School and Ikaheng Zakheni Secondary School was one such game.

The Free State side came from behind to beat Manzomthombo 21-19 after both sides were neck on neck for the better part of the fourth quarter. Ikaheng will be hoping to book a place in the final.

Meanwhile, one of the Botho quarterfinal matches will see two Gauteng sides fight for a spot in the semifinals of the competition. Helpmekaar Kollege will be hoping to repeat last year’s feat where they beat Afrikaans Meisies Hoërskool in the fifth classification match last year. Neither side have made it to the finals of the competition yet.

The two winning schools will be flown to Cape Town and will watch South Africa play against Sri Lanka and England battle Malawi. The players will also get to meet their national heroines, the Spar Proteas after the match.

The excitement of this round also saw two players marking 100 matches for their schools. Irene Struwig and Danita du Plessis, from Eunice High School for Girls Hoërskool Sentraal, will end their school year as the most capped players. Their brilliance helped lead their teams to the last 16 of the competition.

Struwig, who’s a centre court player, reckons the DSNC is the perfect opportunity for aspiring Proteas to test themselves and also be spotted. She is hoping that her netball journey will continue into the senior national team.

“It’s a breeding ground for new Protea players. I am excited for my team and me to be taking part in this competition. I would one day like to be recognised for my netball and see how far I can get. Hopefully, become a Proteas player. I am excited for the World Cup to be held in South Africa. It’s a booster for South Africa, as a country and finally, netball is being recognised in South Africa and all around the world. I can’t wait to see where South Africa ends up in this World Cup.

Du Plessis will be moving to the United States to pursue her athletic dream as a discus and shot put thrower.

“I have decided to go to America next year for my athletics. So this is my last tour,” she says.