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It’s time for netball Proteas to step up and win

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Norma Plummer (Gallo Images)
Norma Plummer (Gallo Images)

Johannesburg - Netball Proteas coach Norma Plummer believes this year’s Quad Series could be a turning point for the team.

Plummer hopes the Proteas will not finish at the bottom of the table after a convincing performance against New Zealand and Australia, despite losing both games.

The Proteas were defeated 51-46 by the Silver Ferns of New Zealand on Thursday night at Ellis Park Stadium.

Last Saturday, they lost 54-50 to the Australian Diamonds in the dying minutes of the game in London during the first leg of this year’s series.

“Anything can happen,” she said. “We just have to be good enough to do it [win].

“I would be a bit worried if we had a couple of major injuries to the top seven [players] because the next level might be down a bit and that would be an issue for us.

"The top seven are doing so well, but a win for South Africa is more beneficial than just development.”

As promising as their performances have been, the Proteas need to start winning.

They have come a long way from losing by a huge margin to these top nations, but they need to start moving away from the bottom of the table.

Since the series started two years ago, South Africa have finished in the basement.

Plummer also spoke about her wish to have more camps with the players, and said this would be beneficial because the players learn fast.

When Plummer announced the 12-member squad early this month, she was happy with the progress made by the squad at the training camp.

“There was no club netball during the festive season, so the players had to work on their own fitness programmes.

"But I was very impressed with the amount of work they were able to put in. They did an excellent job of keeping fit,” said Plummer.

Today at 2pm at Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg, the team will face England – the world number three team – who will want to avenge their 54-51 loss in September.

That match was the only win for South Africa in the Quad Series.

The England Roses lost 50-46 to the Australia Diamonds early this week after winning this year’s opening match at home on Saturday to begin their Quad Series campaign with a thrilling 64-57 extra-time victory over New Zealand at the Copper Box in London.

It will be a clash of the titans when world champions Australia challenge world number two New Zealand at 12pm at Ellis Park today.

Tickets are R30 and are available from computicket.com.

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