The Netball World Cup is a stage where little known players get an opportunity to shine and become big players but also a platform where renowned players showcase their prowess.
Some have used this competition to propel their careers forward by gaining contracts from around the world where they can play the sport in a professional setting.
The Cape Town International Convention Centre will be that platform when the world battles for netball’s most coveted title. These are some of the African players to look out for during the 10-day netball extravaganza.
Karla Pretorius: The Spar Proteas goal defender made her return to the court following maternity leave after having her first child like she had never left. Her performance at the 20223 Quad Series, particularly in the match between South Africa and England reminded the netball world why she was named Most Valuable Player at the last World Cup in 2019.
Her return to Sunshine Coast Lightning in the Suncorp Super Netball saw the team finish fifth in the league, an improvement from last season. They also ended the season on a high by taking home the Queensland Cup after overpowering the Queensland Firebirds. In the match, Pretorius had four deflections, one intercept, and two rebounds. Moreso she was presented with the Team Spirit Award at the club’s season-end awards gala.
Her experience and leadership, as the Proteas vice captain, will go a long way in how the team does on home soil.
Mary Cholhok: Uganda’s Mary Cholhok will be heading to Cape Town in high spirits after having wrapped her season with Loughborough Lightning in the Superleague on a high. The goal shooter played a huge role in steering Lightning to the Netball Super League Grand Final title to end the season on a high. She was lethal in the shooting circle and scored an impressive 41 goals in the final, helping her side secure a hard-fought 58-47 victory over London Pulse. She was consistent throughout the season which saw her become the league's top scorer, with an astounding tally of 908 goals in 19 appearances.
She will be expected to carry her league form into Uganda’s She Cranes showing in the World Cup. Cape Town will mark her second appearance in the global tournament after her debut in 2019 in Liverpool.
Towera Vinkhumbo: The Malawi Queens star will be hoping her fourth World Cup will be her best yet but more so for her country. She was part of the team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games that shockingly defeated New Zealand 57-53. Vinkhumbo was also a member of the Malawi team that finished third at the 2016 Fast5 Netball World Series.
Even though her side finished in eighth position she still had an impressive with Strathclyde Sirens, her ability to make game-changing interceptions and force crucial turnovers resulted in several Fan’s Player of the Season award.
Joyce Mvula: The Malawi Queens star just enjoyed her first taste of netball in New Zealand after signing for ANZ Premiership side Central Pulse. Before that, she had enjoyed several seasons in the United Kingdom where she won a league title with Manchester Thunder which she had joined in 2017.
During the 2019 edition of the World Cup, she was the fifth top goal scorer with 216 goals, she will be looking to do better on the continent.
Lenize Potgieter: The lanky goal shooter returned to the court after taking a break from netball to focus on getting her mental wellness. United Kingdom Superleague side Manchester Thunder grabbed her services as soon as she was ready to take back the court. She had a great first season back becoming the second top goal scorer in the Superleague with 757 throughout the season. This feat saw Thunder take the bronze medal in the league.
When she’s on top of her form, Potgieter is quite reliable in the under the pole. That is the kind of form that will be key for her third World Cup appearance to better the Proteas' finish in front of its home crowd.
Felistus Kwangwa: The Zimbabwe captain was one of the standout players in the edition of the competition. She managed to scoop three Player of the Match accolades in Gems’ first ever Netball World Cup. Her great showing at the competition saw Kwangwa become the first Zimbabwean to play in the United Kingdom’s Netball Super League when she signed for Surrey Storm in the 2021 season. She was also part of the 2023 squad that finished eighth in the Netball Superleague.
The captain’s experience will play a big role when the Gems tackled their second World Cup in the hope of bettering their finish from their debut year.
Khanyisa Chawane: Straight hot from coming out of the Telkom Netball League as the player of the tournament, the midcourt player will be looking to emulate or even better her performance from her first World Cup. A performance that saw her getting a contract with Team Bath only having to return home due to the rampant Covid-19 pandemic.
Even with a problematic shoulder, Chawane was able to put in great performances throughout the season which were critical in helping her side reach the final of the TNL where her side clinched the silver medal. Her tenacity and agility on the court will be crucial in helping the Proteas reach for the podium on home soil.
Nicole Muzanenhamo: She is the youngest member of the Gems squad, however being exposed to the game with experienced players will likely make her one of the standout players in the competition. This will also be her debut on the global stage but her performance at the Africa World Cup qualifiers showed that she is ready for the big stage.
Jeante Strydom: Jeante Strydom has been one of the impressive young defenders in South Africa. During the Proteas tour to Melbourne in February she impressed so much that she drew the attention of Southern Steel for the 2024 ANZ Premiership. Although she is not new in the national setup as she had previously played for the Baby Proteas and the President's XII, she will be making her debut at the World Cup with the Proteas.
Caroline Mtukule: The Malawi Queens star will be taking to the court for her fifth Netball World Cup appearance and it will also mark her 10th major international tournament for her. The goal defender enjoyed her first experience of overseas domestic competition with Team Bath for the 2023 Super League season where she played in 13 matches after making her debut against Surrey Storm. She joined the Scotland based side as an injury replacement for defender Tash Pavelin who ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament. In her first season overseas, Mtukule and Team Bath Netball successfully defended their crown at the British Fast5 All-Stars Championship.
The captain will be hoping to help her side better to a better finish in Cape Town after they ended sixth in the last edition held in Liverpool, her experience in her first competitive and professional league will come in handy in this regard.