After they were out-muscled and out-matched in Kingston in front of a zealously supported and physical Jamaican team earlier this month, the Proteas believes they are ready for their next challenge.
The Vitality Netball Nations Cup – between South Africa, England, Uganda and Malawi – will start on Saturday at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
The second half of the tournament will be played at the Copper Box Arena in London next weekend.
The Proteas have already landed in Nottingham and got their training under way ahead of their opening match on Saturday against Uganda (5pm SA time).
SA will then face England on Sunday (6pm).
Speaking to the media during a press conference on Thursday, assistant coach Zanele Mdodana reflected on the “tough” series in front of a “hostile” home crowd.
“One of the things I knew going into that Test series was that Jamaica have got massive supporters that fill up the arena. They have got a vibe and Caribbean energy, but they’ve certainly taken it up a notch this time around,” Mdodana said.
📸 10 years of battles, passion, and unforgettable moments! 💚![CDATA[]]>🔥 The SPAR Proteas vs. Uganda's She Cranes—history in the making! Who’s ready for the next chapter at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup? 🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦![CDATA[]]>🆚![CDATA[]]>🇺![CDATA[]]>🇬#SPARProteas #WeAreAllIn pic.twitter.com/XCoQsXUhoc
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) January 30, 2025
“The standard of players they’ve got is nothing compared to the level we played against in 2012. Most of those players are at a professional level in Australia, and they’ve really upped the standard of netball in Jamaica.
“You can watch videos and analyse the Jamaican’s play, but until you actually go between those four lines and go toe-to-toe, you cannot explain the level of physicality that we had to absorb and still find solutions.
“It was an experience we are proud of in the way we took the challenge head-on.”
The Proteas lost 3-0 in the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against the world’s third-ranked Jamaica in Kingston last week.
Head coach Jenny van Dyk said the series was a real test of their mental fortitude.
With the loss behind them, Van Dyk and Mdodana have since been preparing the ladies to solidify their presence in the upcoming Vitality series.
“We have been in a position to build some resilience as a team. We have had two training sessions since we arrived in Nottingham. It’s been tough,” Van Dyk said.
Thank you, England A, for the training match! 💪 A valuable contest as we continue building towards the Vitality Netball Nations Cup, starting this Saturday in Nottingham. 🔥
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) January 30, 2025
🏴![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦![CDATA[]]>🇺![CDATA[]]>🇬![CDATA[]]>🇲![CDATA[]]>🇼#SPARProteas #WeAreAllIn pic.twitter.com/0DSElRS3Rv
“We constantly talk about our ability to perform even while under pressure, because that’s what’s required when you get to the World Cup semis and final spot.
“Players are going to be so tired, and will need to be able to go up against the best in the world.
“So, I think this has been a good transition. It has been a long tour, and we learnt so many lessons in Jamaica.
“But the one thing we have spoken to the players about, and it’s something they truly believe inside, is that they can become the best.
“We understand it’s not going to happen overnight, and we are just thinking about accelerating our learning.”