As the Spar Proteas build towards the 2027 Netball World Cup, the senior national team is seeing changes as it transitions. The new generation of defenders is settling in well and should become a formidable lineup.
The retirement of Precious Mthembu and Phumza Maweni coupled with Shadine van der Merwe missing trials and Karla Pretorius not being available for the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series in Kingston, Jamaica due to family commitments, opened opportunities for younger players to come in.
The likes of Boitumelo Mahloko, Sanmarie Visser, Ané Retief, Nicola Smith, Jamie van Wyk, and Jeanté Strydom have now taken over the bibs in various positions in the team. Visser made her debut and earned her first senior cap for the Proteas in the Sunshine Series in Jamaica.
These players played an important role in the Proteas' performance in the Sunshine Series, even though South Africa suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the third-ranked side. Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana says the coaching team has been pleased with how the new generation of players has taken over the baton.
𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗗! 🇿🇦
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) January 26, 2025
Proud of the fight, proud of the team! 🙏#SPARProteas #WeAreAllIn
📸 Collin Reid pic.twitter.com/MisyYhuD81
“I have really been impressed with how the girls have stepped it up, as young and inexperienced as they are. People don’t understand our average age in this team and how young when it comes to international competitiveness and experience. They are growing at an exponential pace, they are being required to mature rapidly in order to be able to compete against the best teams in the world.
"We are very proud of the way that they have absorbed the pressure. This is a new generation of players that are creating their own identity and we love working with these guys. We are building a variety of defensive structures and we have got the versatility in our players to be able to execute those structures at any given moment. We are excited about what the future has in store,” explains Mdodana.
BIG SHOES TO FILL
The former skipper admits that although the veteran players had left indelible marks in several positions, she says the current players are also making their own marks.
“Karla and Phumza have sat at the helm and occupied those two positions for the Spar Proteas for many years. When Phumza retired she left a huge gap and big shoes to fill but we are extremely proud of Nicola. She has taken that opportunity and really done well trying to fill those shoes and find her own identity in that circle.
Sanmarie is just a breath of fresh air. She is young, dynamic, and is so hungry. She was brought on this tour because Karla wasn’t going to be travelling with the team. She has absolutely taken the bull by its horns. She is coachable, takes information and soaks everything in, and tries it. She is a beautiful player to coach and have to form part of our team. Jamie is just in a league of her own. A hard worker, her discipline, is very ethical, you won’t find her trying to cheat. She is constantly grinding,” she says.
Smith, who has cemented her place in the goalkeeper position, understands that although she has taken over from a powerhouse, she has to make her own name in the position. She says comparing herself to previous players would somehow limit her growth in the sport.
“It’s not easy but I think being in a professional setup, you shouldn’t compare yourself to other players. I should just stick to how I play and who I am and not compare myself to Phumza, what she’s done, and how big her shoes are to fill. I should just focus on myself and grow as a player, not focus on what the media says. It is about what the coaches say and my team is backing me with Phumza not being here. It’s a team sport and we have to stand as a team and not individuals,” explains Smith.
The Manchester Thunder player stresses the importance of taking ownership of their position even though they are still considered young.
“I don’t think we have to look into it as though we are juniors coming into the team and filling up spaces. It is professional. We have to stand up for ourselves and not be scared when we get on court and think ‘I am still a junior.’ You are here as a Protea and a senior now. As a unit, we are really close and we support each other. It is very exciting for Netball South Africa with our youngsters coming up because seniors are leaving now and there are spaces to fill. Everyone is stepping up their game. We have the potential and the ability to do it. I am really excited to see what will happen with the upcoming series in England. I have no doubt in our defenders,” she says.
South Africa now head to the Vitality Netball Nations Cup where they will face England, Malawi and Uganda at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. Smith, who suffered an injury in the first test in Kingston, will be replaced by Syntiche Kabuya at the four-nations tournament in England.