On Thursday, June 2, Netball South Africa announced the squad of 14 women who will face Wales in the three-match SPAR Challenge, taking place from 17-19 June in Durban. Ten of the 14 players who will represent the Proteas are either past or present Varsity Netball players.
UP-Tuks, NWU-Pukke, UFS-Kovsies and NMMU-Madibaz are all represented in a 10-women list that includes two-time Varsity Netball Player of the Tournament, Karla Mostert.
“We are extremely proud of these 10 ladies,” said Jana Arlow, Varsity Netball Code Manager. “It’s wonderful to see so many of the talented athletes that have taken part in Varsity Netball being rewarded for their efforts.
“Varsity Sports’ aim with Varsity Netball, and all our competitions, is to provide our young athletes a platform to showcase their talent and hone their skills by competing in a competition of a top level. These 10 ladies are testament to what the competition offers university netball players across the country.”
In further success for Varsity Netball, the Proteas assistant coach for the upcoming three matches, Dorette Badenhorst, was the coach of 2015 Varsity Netball champions, NWU-Pukke last year.
“The strength of netball in the country lies in the sport at varsity level,” said Badenhorst. “To play in the Varsity Netball competition you need to be conditioned and you need to be a high-performance athlete. So the universities prepare the players for a high performance level.
“I think Varsity Netball is playing a big role in giving players the opportunity to play in a high-level competition. The more they play in top-quality games, the more experience they gain, the better they become.”
Varsity Netball begins on 5 September 2016.
The Proteas netball squad to face Wales on 17, 18 and 19 June (current/former Varsity Netball team represented in brackets):
Sigrid Burger (NWU Pukke)
Erin Burger (UP-Tuks)
Lauren-Lee Christians (UFS-Kovsies)
Maryka Holtzhausen (captain) (UFS-Kovsies)
Rochelle Lawson
Izette Lubbe (UP-Tuks)
Phumza Maweni
Karla Mostert (UFS-Kovsies)
Bongiwe Msomi (vice-captain)
Precious Mthembu
Lenize Potgieter (UP-Tuks)
Renske Stoltz (NWU Pukke)
Jeanie Steyn (UP-Tuks)
Zanele Vimbela (NMMU-Madibaz)
SPAR Challenge Test Series fixtures at Durban International Convention Centre:
Friday 17 June
20:00 Proteas vs Wales
Saturday 18 June
16:00 Proteas vs Wales
Sunday 19 June
14:00 Proteas vs Wales
