Bittersweet return for Proteas stalwart Lenize Potgieter

The 29-year-old had sat out of the opening two matches, which South Africa won against Wales and Sri Lanka, but was a starter against the Jamaican - albeit with heavily strapped knees.

Potgieter had not donned the Proteas' colours since November 2020, and missed the 2022 Commonwealth Games after failing late fitness tests, but so valuable is her ability on the court that coach Norma Plummer retained her for the home World Cup. And she is elated to have finally set foot on the court for her national team again.

"I had a lot of downs, a few ups, but all in all makes me grow as a person. I wouldn't have it any other way because it makes me stronger as well. It's amazing being back with my team, sitting on the bench, for both games. Ine-Mari [Venter], Elmere [van der Berg], Nic [Nichole Taljaard], everyone did amazing, I can't fault anything there”, she said. 

“I still learn from them, but it is hard because I really wanna be with the team, I mean it's a world cup on African soil, in South Africa. But I'm just happy that I'm able to take the court in front of my home crowd, even if it's once", claimed Potgieter.  

While she admitted she was not at 100% fitness, Potgieter assured they have been measured in managing her load. And replaced by Venter in the third quarter on Sunday.

"Adrenaline takes me through. My treatment from the medical personnel is amazing, they really are supportive, my coaches, my teammates. So, I'm really being taken care of." 

After a closely-contested opening two quarters, in which Potgieter managed 15/15 goal attempts, a third-quarter saw the Proteas annihilated by 20 goals to three against the Jamaicans.  Potgieter admits, while her accuracy remains on point, her overall impact was stifled.

"We struggled to get a goal in the first seven minutes. I was just really happy to get on the court, I was obviously always going for 90+ percentage, but if I had feeders and players around me that give me the confidence to put up the shots I'm going to do it.

"And, you know, what it's all glory to God as well. Like with Him, I'd probably be air-balling the ball the whole time. So, no I'm really happy that I've been on the court with my shooting accuracy, but I think there's still a lot to work on." 

South Africa will face another Caribbean opponent in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday evening at 18h00. Trinidad are one-time world champion of 1979, which Potgieter believes, much like African oppositions, are difficult to plan against.