South Africa started strong but were eventually handed a comprehensive 67-49 defeat by Jamaica in their final Group C match of the Netball World Cup at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Sunday evening.
The last time the two sides met at a Netball World Cup was four years ago in Liverpool, when a memorable 55-52 victory for the Proteas opened up their passage to the semifinals.
Despite being roared on by the vocal home crowd, the Proteas couldn’t match that 2019 performance, however.
The #SPARProteas put in a brilliant final quarter but it's not enough as they lose their first #NWC2023 match to Jamaica ??#HereForHer pic.twitter.com/qX7FNMDhk3
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) July 30, 2023
South African goal shooter Lenize Potgieter played her first game of the Netball World Cup 2023, included in the starting seven, and her experience proved vital in commanding the circle in the early part of the match.
She was soon joined by Nichole Taljaard after coach Norma Plummer brought her off the bench in the first quarter to replace the faltering Elmeré van der Berg at goal attack.
After some early nerves from both sides settled, it was the Sunshine Girls who enjoyed the better of the first half, scorching into a 32-26 lead by halftime.
A nightmare third quarter for the South Africans saw them going 9-0 down before Potgieter could slot in her side’s first goal of the period.
With Jamaica’s defenders doing a phenomenal job of keeping the ball out of the circle, the home side were limited to just three goals in the entire quarter.
Left with a massive mountain to climb in the final period, Plummer replaced Potgieter with Ine-Mari Venter at goal attack while Shadine van der Merwe came on at wing defence.
Captain Bongi Msomi returned to court at centre. But there was simply too much for the South Africans to do, and despite winning the quarter by five goals, the Jamaicans were simply too strong, wrapping up an emphatic 67-49 victory and successfully avenging their 2019 World Cup defeat.
Despite the loss, South Africa will still progress to the second stage of the preliminary round, along with Jamaica and Wales, but they face the daunting prospect of most likely having to beat defending champions New Zealand if they are to have any hope of reaching the semifinals.
The #SPARProteas showing their appreciation for the incredible fans that turned up in their numbers ??#NWC2023 | #HereForHer
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) July 30, 2023
Most Valuable Player: Jodi-Ann Ward (Jamaica)
Goal Percentage: Jamaica 93.1% / South Africa 83.1%
Penalty Count (Contact and Obstruction) : Jamaica 59 / South Africa 78
Quarter scores: 16-12 / 32-26 / 52-29 / 67-49