With just one day remaining before the start of the Vitality Netball Nations Cup, Spar Proteas head coach Jenny van Dyk is confident her players are ready for the upcoming challenge.
The tournament, taking place from February 1 to 9, in England, will feature four competing nations: South Africa, England, Malawi, and Uganda, all vying for the coveted title of this year’s champions.
The opening game will see South Africa face off against Uganda, followed by England taking on Malawi. In their previous encounter at the Africa Netball Cup finals, South Africa triumphed over Uganda.
Van Dyk emphasized the importance of the Nations Cup as part of the team’s preparations for next year’s Commonwealth Games.
“Our first match is against Uganda on Saturday, but we’re also focusing on our second match against England on Sunday,” Van Dyk said.
“We need to be able to handle the different styles of play. The African teams each have their own unique style, as does England, and we must be ready to face them all.”
Spar Proteas captain Khanyisa Chawane expressed the team’s excitement for the challenge ahead, reaffirming their determination to fight until the end.
“We haven’t had an opportunity like this since the 2023 World Cup. We’re eager to take everything we learned in Jamaica and put it into practice here,” Chawane said.
“We won’t be intimidated by the support England will have. Nothing compares to Jamaica—the vuvuzelas, the pot lids being banged, and the general noise. We couldn’t even hear the coaches’ instructions. But in England, the arenas are larger, and the noise won’t be as overwhelming.”
Chawane also noted that the team’s mindset, focused on always striving for victory, hasn’t been shaken by their recent losses in Jamaica.
South Africa’s opening match against Uganda will take place at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham at 17:00 (SAST) on Saturday.
This will be followed by the match between England and Malawi. On Sunday, Uganda will face Malawi at 16:00, and South Africa will take on England at 18:00.
The final matches will be held at the Copper Box Arena in London on February 8 and 9.
