Playing at a Netball World Cup is a career highlight - Erin Burger

Burger, who participated in a total of four World Cups, was also voted Player of the Tournament at the 2011 showpiece in Singapore, before retiring as the most-capped Protea with 125 appearances.

The 36-year-old says playing in the World Cup remains one of her biggest achievements of her career, since netball is not an Olympic sport.

"I think just representing your country is an absolute honour, and to play in the World Cup is one of the biggest things you can achieve in netball because there is no Olympic Games for netball," said Burger.

"So, it's an absolute honour and such a big dream come true – I was very privileged to play in four [World Cups], and I think it's any girl's dream to play in a World Cup."

Burger started playing for the Proteas in 2007 at the age of 19 when she made her debut against England, and shared a few words of advice to those making their debuts in this year’s World Cup in Cape Town.

"My advice for any player making their debut at the World Cup would be to not overthink the opportunity to just stay in the moment – they are ready, that's why they're there," she added.

"And nobody on court will think they're younger or hold back an inch to give them a chance, so they must just know that when they step in between the four lines, they're all equal and they need to perform.

"It's about more than just how they feel, they're representing their whole country, so they should go out there fearless and play their hearts out – they are there because they're the best and the coaches believe in them by selecting them, so they should back themselves too."