Maties performance analyst Morné van Tonder believes they can win the Varsity Netball tournament for the first time in 2021.
However, it is going to take a lot of heart from the tournament hosts, who will also need to bring their ‘A game’.
‘If that happens, we will take the gold,’ says Van Tonder. ‘I believe the players are fit enough and all the right systems are in place.
‘Tournaments are won by available players, both mentally and physically,’ he adds. ‘How you replenish today determines how you play tomorrow. This is a team that plays for their coach.’
Van Tonder believes the players are as match fit as can be heading into Saturday’s opening round.
‘Coach Zanele [Mdodana] and Adéle [Niemand] used every available moment to play as many matches as possible. The players also showed great character and integrity when it came to sticking to their home programmes during lockdown. I believe that is where the fitness battle was won.’
For the first time in Varsity Netball, Maties have two Proteas at their disposal in captain Sian Moore and Nicola Smith. They will also rely on senior players in Nicholé Taljaard, Caleigh Stuart, Adri Uys and Zhane Petersen.
SQUAD (8 NEWCOMERS)
Sian Moore (captain), Nicholé Taljaard, Adri Uys, Caleigh Stuart, Nicola Smith, Nerine Koopman, Georgina Kapa, Jean-Marié Orton, Entle Futshane, Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen, Syntiche Kabuya, Zhane Petersen, Megan Venn, Carla van Rooyen.
COACHING STAFF
Coach: Zanele Mdodana
Team manager: Sasha-Lee Petersen
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sian Moore. The goal shooter impressed in her previous two Varsity Netball campaigns. In 2018 she was the tournament’s second-best shooter (194 goals from 215 attempts at 90.2%) and in 2019 the best (268/313 at 85.6%). Moore continued her top form in the 2020 Telkom Netball League for the Southern Stings, which earned her the first of five Test caps for the Proteas earlier this year.
TEAM RECORDS
Previous performances: 2019 – 2nd; 2018 – 4th; 2017 – 3rd; 2016 – 3rd; 2015 – 2nd; 2014 – 4th; 2013 – 6th
Biggest win: 65 goals (92-27 vs VUT, 2017)
Most goals scored: 96 (96-26 vs VUT, 2018)
Least goals conceded: 13 (71-13 vs UCT, 2014)
Most consecutive wins: 5 (2016)
By Ruan Bruwer
