South Africa were roared to a 72-46 victory over Tonga as the two sides went head-to-head for the first time at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town on Friday.
The win means the Proteas will now face Uganda, who beat Malawi earlier in the afternoon, in the playoff for fifth spot on Sunday.
The SPAR Proteas defeat Tonga to set up a showdown against Uganda in the fifth/sixth-place playoff.#NWC2023 | #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/qFpkJZTv03
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) August 4, 2023
Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi led the crowd singing from the stands, throwing his support behind the home team, whose shooters proved a little jittery at the start.
Springbok captain, @SiyaKolisi leads the #NWC2023 crowd in a gwijo ??????#HereForHer #SPARProteas pic.twitter.com/9PwrNUAgx8
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) August 4, 2023
Van der Berg duly rewarded the faith paid in her by the coach and maintained a 100 per cent shooting average until halftime, eventually going on to earn the Most Valuable Player award.
She's got game! ?? Elmeré van der Berg ?????? against Tonga today. ??????????#SPARProteas | #NWC2023 | #PutYourHandsUp pic.twitter.com/XBcdOV5ZLT
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) August 4, 2023
The teams were level on 12-all at the first break but the improved shooting and settled nerves in the second quarter meant that they could open up a gap on the Pacific islanders, heading into the halftime break 30-23 up.
Plummer switched captain Bongi Msomi and wing attack Izette Griesel at the start of the third quarter as the Proteas continued to dominate.
The South Africans pounced on any error from the Tongans to continue to open up their lead, so reaching the final break 11 goals up.
With her team safely 65-42 ahead, Plummer rang in the changes in the final quarter with KC Chawane coming on at centre, Owethu Ngubane at goal attack, Shadine van der Merwe at goal defence, and Nicola Smith at goalkeeper.
The new-look team continued to race away from their tiring opponents, winning the quarter by 25 goals to 10 to wrap up the emphatic victory against a side that featured players who have represented both New Zealand and Australia on the netball court.
Thanking their 8th player ??
— World Netball (@WorldNetball_) August 4, 2023
South Africa will play Uganda in the 5th/6th play-off after defeating Tonga 72-46 ????#NWC2023 | @Netball_SA pic.twitter.com/ianZ2GnSBW
Most Valuable Player: Elmeré van der Berg (South Africa)
Goal Shooting Percentage: South Africa 85.7 per cent / Tonga 93.9 per cent
Penalty Count (Contact and Obstruction): South Africa 53 / Tonga 51
Quarter scores: 12-12 / 30-23 / 47-36 / 72-46