Dumisani Chauke raises hand to succeed Norma Plummer as Proteas netball coach

Netball SA earlier confirmed to SABC Sport that Plummer would step down after the World Cup in Cape Town later this year, with the association looking at replacing the 77-year-old Australian with a local coach.

Chauke previously served as assistant to Dorette Badenhorst with the Proteas under-21 side in 2015, before the pair again worked together with the senior team in October 2019.

The Limpopo-born former goal shooter has now expressed her interest in stepping up to take the reins, should the opportunity present itself.

"I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't be keen on applying for the head coaching position. Should the opportunity arise for me to apply, I would definitely put my hand up and just put my name in there," she said.

The 36-year-old is leading the Proteas' ongoing training camp in Stellenbosch in the absence of Plummer and specialist coach Nicole Cusack, who are in Melbourne, Australia.

She is conducting daily training sessions as per a programme provided by Plummer.

"Camp has been going great, there's no challenge in being here by myself. It's just a continuation of what Norma, Nic, and I have been doing with the girls during our training sessions," she explained.

"The girls have been working hard, they know the standard, they know what is expected and we are just maintaining that and improving that at every training session."

With the global showpiece fast approaching, Chauke admits she is beginning to get goosebumps.

"With the World Cup fast approaching, the excitement is building up. The anxiety as well that comes with that is building up.

"Any World Cup stage comes with a lot of pressure, so I'm excited to be able to experience the first netball World Cup on African soil. But also looking at the calendar you get anxious because it's so near as well," she concluded.