Australia maintained their unbeaten record against South Africa, and beat the home team 64-41 in the first Spar Challenge netball test match played at the University of Port Elizabeth’s Vista Campus on Monday evening.
South Africa started off exceptionally well and kept pace with the visitors for most of the first two quarters. The near-capacity crowd became delirious with excitement when South Africa drew level with Australia in the first quarter and again in the second with Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour joining in the singing and cheering as the fans dreamed of an upset.
But from the third quarter, the Australians drew away steadily, while the South Africans began to make too many errors. Fumbles with the ball and careless passes cost the South Africans dearly, and the Australians also appeared to be much fitter. The pace was fast and furious, and the home team clearly felt the effects as the game wore on.
But it was not all bad news for South Africa. Although the team failed to achieve coach Marlene Wagner’s goal of keeping the goal difference down to less than 10, there were some impressive performances. Captain Elsje Jordaan had an excellent game, intercepting the ball on a number of occasions. Her shooting, however, was not always accurate.
Wagner said the difference between the two teams was in the centre court.
”Our strength lies in our circle play, and we need to work on the centre court play,” she said.
Jordaan said she was very proud of the team.
”Since 1995, we have never managed to score 40 goals against Australia, and the goal difference is the smallest we have ever achieved. At the World Championships last year, it was 29.”
Wagner said there would be some hard work before the second Test, which will be played at the Durban Institute of Technology on Wednesday. — Sapa