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Proteas edge England’s Roses in Nations Cup thriller

Elmere van der Berg, seen here on Saturday against Uganda, was again on point on Sunday night as the proteas beat England in a riveting encounter. Photo: Morgan Harlow

Elmere van der Berg, seen here on Saturday against Uganda, was again on point on Sunday night as the proteas beat England in a riveting encounter. Photo: Morgan Harlow

Published Feb 2, 2025

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England’s Roses wilted under the relentless pressure of the Proteas, who secured a 61-59 win in Sunday night’s thrilling Netball Nations Cup clash at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.

The Proteas top the standings in the four-team tournament after their convincing opening 70-45 win over Uganda. England had begun their campaign with a 62-36 win against Malawi but found the African champions a far more difficult prospect.

The Proteas started well but England were determined to cut off the passing lanes, forcing the Proteas back at times. Nonetheless, the Proteas took an early 6-3 lead thanks to another strong shooting display by goal shooter Elmere van den Berg.

Their fast-paced, energetic game clicked into gear, displaying the mid-court hustle and transitions that have become a feature of their play under coach Jenny van Dyk. Star goal attack Kamogelo Maseko turned from provider to finisher as the Proteas’ lead stretched to 8-3.

Meanwhile, ferocious goalkeeper Sanmarie Visser’s partnership with goal defence Jamie van Wyk had been key to the Proteas’ early defensive effort.

England did briefly pull ahead in the second quarter but the Proteas kept in touch. Van der Berg’s partnership with Maseko, which she described as “natural chemistry” in the match against Uganda, continuing to blossom, while the goal attack was also clinical in the shooting circle.

Skipper Khanyisa Chawane, meanwhile, was working hard at wing attack, while centre Refiloe Nketsa also had to put in a shift, leading the feeds into the attacking circle for the Proteas.

The teams could not be separated at half-time, with the score 30-30.

Inthe third quarter, the Roses again came back at the Proteas in a riveting, end-to-end contest, with Van der Berg metronomic and the England defence struggling to cope with Maseko’s late circle entries. She made them pay almost every time she had a shot at goal.

The Proteas continued to force the Roses into mistakes with great defensive hustle led by the lightning quick Visser, who was named Player of the Match and the next few plays would mark a turning point in the match as SA put the squeeze on the Roses.

A Chawane intercept and lightning transition set Van der Berg up under the goal as the SA lead blew out to eight points (57-49), a lead they would hold onto for the rest of the match, despite a late resurgence from England

“This is a great bunch of girls and we’ve been working so hard. I’m just so proud at this moment,” coach van Dyk said after the match to Sky Sport.

“There’s still a lot that we need to do, you know. I think key moments went better for us but a few where I felt that we couldn’t quite keep it together. But they’re building and really just improving at such an accelerated pace. I’m just so proud of them.”

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