Spar Proteas goal keeper Ané Retief has been granted an incredible opportunity, having been named as a temporary replacement player for Nicola Smith at Manchester Thunder.
At 26 years old, Retief will step into Smith’s position while she recovers from an arm injury sustained during the first test of the Margeret Beckford Sunshine Series in Jamaica, which took place about a month ago.
Retief made her debut for South Africa in October 2024, playing against Malawi.
Manchester Thunder head coach Karen Greig expressed her satisfaction with securing Retief during this challenging period for the team.
“Ané is an exciting defender who reads the game incredibly well. She’s tenacious, making it difficult for shooters to settle, and she has impressed me with her performances for South Africa. We truly appreciate her dedication in stepping into this role on such short notice, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Thunder family.”
Retief shared her excitement about this incredible opportunity, saying, “I’m truly excited to be part of Manchester Thunder. What a force to be reckoned with! I’m looking forward to deepening my understanding of the game and contributing my fighting spirit to their success.”
