A disheartened Proteas netball team lost the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Netball Series against Jamaica after a 57-49 defeat in Kingston on Thursday morning (SAST)
The Jamaicans are looking to sweep South Africa in the series, following their 55-47 win in the first match. Head coach for the Proteas, Jenny van Dyk, said the second consecutive loss was disappointing, but took away some positives from the defeat.
She said they hoped to win the final Test on Sunday morning (tip-off 1am).
“Jamaica managed to step up a level after that first Test, and it show with their five-point lead per quarter that we struggled to manage. It is important for us as well to make that same step up in a competition like this,” Van Dyk said.
“That is why it’s important for us to play top teams and play them often, so our players who have not had the chance to play Jamaica get that experience.
“We cannot make any excuses and expect better from ourselves. This is not the standard we will ever be okay with.”
South Africa are ranked fifth in world netball, while Jamaica are third.
The home team had added motivation with athletics royalty Asafa Powell in the auditorium. The Sunshine Ladies won the first three quarters, dominating play with the help of unforced errors by the Proteas.
Jamaica’s accurate and stealthy passing put them ahead of the visitors by 15 points in the third quarter. A hard-fought fourth quarter installed some hope back into the SA camp, but it was a little too late, with the final score closing on 57-49.
Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana said the team needed to learn how to withstand pressure.
“It was a tough one, but strangely enough, I feel we showed up better today than the first game,” she said.
“We need to understand we are playing the third-ranked team in the world, who are so experienced.
“The more we play these guys, the better it’s going to be. I feel that is the only way we are going to expose them to the pressure not only physically, but mentally as well.
“We know the areas we need to be more clinical on, and really find the combination that is going to bridge that gap for us.
Sanmarie Visser made her debut for the Proteas at goal defence and put up a brave performance to hold the backline, but the Jamaicans proved to be far too experienced.
Regardless, Mdodana said the North West University student showed the spirit they would like the team to embody.
“I was very impressed with the way Sanmarie Visser took her first cap. I thought she was a warrior ... fearless and hungry. Threw herself all over the show, looking for solutions and that is the character trait we want the Proteas to be,” Mdodana added.
Visser said it was an honour to represent her country, and even got emotional during the singing of the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.
“Making my Proteas debut and wearing the green and gold is a memory I will cherish forever.
“I got so emotional singing the national anthem, and standing there with these amazing players just realising how incredible God is. I feel beyond grateful for the opportunity and the massive trust placed in me,” said Visser.