The Spar Women’s Netball Challenge is not only allowing the Spar Proteas an opportunity to play in front of their home crowd for the first time this year but the competition has also granted the senior men’s team some needed court time.
The Puma Proteas last played at last year’s Africa Cup where they walked away with the gold medal in the inaugural year of the competition. The South Africa senior men’s team faces Zimbabwe in three friendly matches set as the curtain raisers between the Proteas and Malawi Queens.
🇿🇦🆚🇿🇼
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) October 31, 2024
South Africa Men claim the first match against Zimbabwe Men! 💪 Let’s carry this momentum forward! 🇿🇦🔥#SAMensNetball pic.twitter.com/vQeJl6bdt9
The friendly matches are key in providing a platform for the coaching staff and the selectors a chance to see who is ready to don the green and gold at this year’s continental competition. A total of 20 players have been in camp with 12 players selected to compete in the friendlies, an opportunity for all the players to prove their readiness for the competition.
Captain, Lutendo Maiwashe admits that there is stiff competition in the squad as everyone would like an opportunity to defend the gold medal in Namibia. The continental tournament is set for 1 to 7 December in the west coast city of Swakopmund.
“This year’s selection will be tougher. The guys have come all out because of the opportunities that Netball South Africa is giving to male netballers to play overseas and around the continent. Everyone wants a spot in the final 15. We don’t know who will make it, it is not as obvious as the previous years. Everyone is coming all out and the younger players are also fighting to get senior national colours,” says Maiwashe.
Coach Jabulani Vilane has welcomed the chance for court time with warm hands. The mentor stressed the importance of the three friendly matches leading to the Africa Cup.
“Preparing for Africa needs us to stay active especially since other teams are getting friendlies elsewhere. We thank Netball SA for this opportunity for us to try new boys in the team since others will be heading to the Fast5 (Netball World Series). Getting new boys to come in broadens up the opportunity for the players to get exposure to international competitions. There was a huge attendance of players at the Males Netball Championships and that in itself shows netball is growing because of the support we are getting from Netball South Africa. We are looking forward to seeing more districts coming in to play in the competition. The opportunities we are getting are making more players come and showcase their talent in netball,” says Vilane.
It's a Spar Proteas masterclass at the Ellis Park Arena 👏 They take a 1-0 lead in the test series 🔥
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 31, 2024
South Africa 68 - 31 Malawi #SparChallenge | #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/BlLOtFs2zS
The FAST5 World Series will take place on 9 to 10 November at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Playing against Zimbabwe has been a tricky affair for coach Vilane’s men. A majority of the Zimbabwean players are based in South Africa and compete in the various leagues in the country.
“They know how we play and they get practice games here in the country with us. I think they are trying to replicate what we do to become the best. They are not an easy team to play with, they play a lot of mind games but if we try to counter their mind games, we will be fine. It is somewhat an advantage to have them here because it gives us an opportunity to see how they play,” says Vilane.
The coach believes the friendlies not only help to identify which players will be in the final squad to travel to Namibia but it also assists in finding combinations that will work with different players. Skipper, Maiwashe, believes Zimbabwe is the perfect opponent to see if the different combinations work.
“These are games we need to gauge ourselves, to see how far we are going into the Africa Cup. We played them in the finals (2023) and they gave us a run for our money. Facing them here at home gives the coaches a picture of what is what, going forward,” adds Maiwashe.
The skipper has praised retired former captain Shiko Mokaila for not only his leadership but also his kind heartedness. Maiwashe says Mokaila’s contribution to the sport will leave a long lasting legacy.
“Shiko is one of the best the country has ever had. I always salute him when I see him. We worked together for quite some time, he shares a lot. He believes in sharing whatever he knows or whatever he has with everyone. With the foundation he has built for men’s netball, we stand a good chance to go somewhere,” he explains.