SPAR Proteas eye Commonwealth podium

Spar Proteas goal defender, Zanele Vimbela says the two test matches against Wales were integral before the team headed to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.

South Africa dominated both matches and defeated Wales 61-44 in the first test and, even though the hosts brought their best performance in the second match, the Proteas walked away 57-47 victors.

Vimbela says the team used the matches to find the best combinations for the upcoming competition in Birmingham and, with the 2018 edition having been a dismal one for South Africa as they finished fifth, Vimbela says they want a podium finish this time around.

"We expect to perform well out there, enough to get us on the podium and be able to play in the play-offs. We do not want to expect anything less but that," Vimbela told SABC Sport.

"We are looking forward to the challenges that are there as well but we also just want to improve from what we achieved the last time."

Meanwhile, the Proteas have been dealt a huge blow by the unavailability of Lenize Potgieter, who didn™t pass her medicals for the Games, and coach Dorette Badenhorst says this puts a dent on the team™s plans for the competition. 

"Lenize will unfortunately not be part of the 2022 team going into Commonwealth Games as she was not cleared by the medical team - she is an experienced player, and it is a loss to the team," Badenhorst said via a press statement.

"We have submitted a replacement to the Commonwealth committee now. Lenize will be making her way back home as soon as flights are confirmed."

By Busisiwe Mokwena