The SPAR Netball Proteas went down 55-47 to Jamaica in a hard fought first Test in the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday but national coach Jenny van Dyk is not downcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last time we played Jamaica; we lost by 18 points \u2013 this time we lost by eight. There is something to work on and next time, we will know what to expect,\u201d said Van Dyk after the match.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The two teams traded goal for goal in the closely contested first quarter, which ended 12-all. During the second quarter, the South African goalkeeper Nicola Smith fell heavily and had to leave the court with an arm injury and her replacement Ane Retief was sent off for two minutes for a foul (dangerous play). The Sunshine Girls took advantage of the situation and won the quarter by 16 goals to 11.<\/p>\n
Jamaica maintained momentum and made the most of the situation in the third quarter, and on two occasions stretched their lead to 10 points. But the SPAR Proteas fought back hard and reduced the margin to seven goals. (42-35)<\/p>\n
In the final quarter, the Sunshine Girls surged ahead to take a 12-point lead, but Captain Khanyisa Chawane\u2019s team fought to the end and some superb shooting by Elmere van den Bergh supported by inform goal attack Kamogelo Maseko, helped the SPAR Proteas to finish the match just eight goals behind.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
South Africa last toured Jamaica in 2012 and Van Dyk said she thought they had done well to cope with the atmosphere in the packed National Indoor Stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe theoretically know how they play, but there is nothing like experiencing it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe noise and the vibe are something special, but it can put you off your game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is a lot we can take out of this match, and we know what we need to work on. \u201cThe second quarter was very expensive for us, with a player injured and another sent off, but we should be able to cope with setbacks like that,\u201d said Van Dyk.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a plan and a strategy, but we were thrown a curve ball in the second quarter,\u201d said Assistant coach Zanele Mdodana.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s where we lost the match, because all the other quarters were very close. Losing Nicola changed the momentum of the game,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In the curtain raiser, the SPAR Baby Proteas impressed in beating Jamaica Under-21 by 61 goals to 31.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The next match is on Thursday the 23rd of January 2025 (02h00 SA time) and the final test on Sunday 26th of January 2025 (01h00 SA time) .<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
All matches are live in SuperSport Variety 4 DStv Channel 209.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rolene Streutker- the<\/b>\u00a0SPAR Proteas Goal Shooter, shoots for goal in the first international netball test against Jamaica on Saturday 18 January 2025 in Kingston, Jamaica. Jamaica beat South Africa 55-47 to lead the three test Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series 1-0. The second test will be played on Wednesday 22 January 2025 with the final test on Saturday 25 January 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"