Proteas name squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Proteas coach Dorette Badenhorst has announced a strong twelve-member squad for the 2023 Netball World Cup Qualifiers at the University of Pretoria. Skipper Bongiwe Msomi will lead the team in the qualifiers to start from 21 - 27 August in the Cape Town.

The Proteas are pitted in Group A with Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Eswatini, Zambia, Kenya, and Malawi complete Group B. The World Cup will take place at the International Convention Center in Cape Town from 28 July until 6 August next year.

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The Proteas already qualify for the World Cup as the hosting nation but will compete in the tournament to get the much-needed game time. After the disappointment of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where they finished in the sixth place, Badenhorst is determined to win the tournament. Her team will play in the opening game against Botswana at the High-Performance Centre in Tshwane at 4pm.

œWe are disappointed with the results from Birmingham, but we have to sit down and learn from our mistakes. We need to get better and perform. We have the players to do it, but need to work on a few aspects of our game. We will shift our focus to the World Cup qualifiers and use them as part of our preparations for the World Cup, Badenhorst told SABC Sport.

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Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane blasted the Proteas for their below-the-par-performance and demands an improved performance in the World Cup qualifiers. œWe had heart-to-heart discussions with the players and it was a fruitful meeting. We came up with solutions and we expect a better performance in the World Cup qualifiers. We expect them to win the tournament. We don™t want to hear excuses, said Molokwane.

Teams participating in the Africa World Cup qualifiers are the host South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Eswatini, and Kenya.

Proteas squad:

Khanyisa Chawane, Izette Griesel, Boitumelo Mahloko, Tarle Mathe, Phumza Maweni, Bongiwe Msomi (captain) , Nomfundo Mngomezulu, Nicola Smith, Nichole Taljaard, Elmerie van der Berg, Shande van der Merwe, and Ine-Mari Venter.

Coach: Dorette Badenhrost

Assistant coach: Dumisani Chauke

Team manager: Nisha Rupnarain

Physio: Fikile Phasha

Conditioning coach: Charne Scott

Let's get ready for Africa ????????????????????? ?️ Tickets available at Rembrandt Hall? Watch it on @SuperSportTV, @SABC_Sport & @TelkomONE?More info https://t.co/xe4NTF6XNj#NWC2023 | #RoadToCapeTown pic.twitter.com/9f8AtFnPiL— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) August 19, 2022

By:Charles Baloyi