South Africa’s dismal netball tour of the United Kingdom ended on Monday night with both the seniors and under-21s losing their last Tests in Birmingham.
England left their best for last and gave South Africa a hiding to nothing. They won 61-37 — the biggest margin yet in the series.
The home team won the first two Tests 54-44 and 64-48.
The South African under-21 team aimed for a series victory, but were given a netball lesson, losing 59-34.
Everything looked promising for the South African senior team in the first quarter, but then the home team took control of the game.
South Africa had opted to start the game with Christine Markgraaff as goal shooter and Manzo Machoga as goal attack.
It seemed the best option because Markgraaff is a more mobile shooter than the taller Sindisiwe Gumede, who was marked out of the game by the English in the first two Tests.
However, the Spar Proteas just couldn’t get enough balls into their own goal circle and squandered the little possession they did have.
England again laid the foundation for their victory in mid-court where they dominated and forced the South Africans into making mistakes.
Karen Aspinall, the England wing attack, had a field day and was duly awarded the player of the match.
Gumede was recalled in the last quarter but to no avail.
Machoga, who was playing in her 80th Test, was the star player in the South African team. She played with a lot of flair and showed excellent ball skills. — Sapa
Netball results, third Tests, Birmingham
Seniors: England 61, South Africa 37 (15-13, 29-22, 47-28)
Under-21: England 59, South Africa 34 (16-9, 32-14, 49-22)