The final team we look at ahead of the Quad Series is South Africa.
Following a gritty training camp in the Gold Coast, the venue for next April’s Commonwealth Games, South Africa have good reason to be optimistic for the upcoming series and beyond. It is a beginning of a new era for South Africa under new coach Elsje Jordaan who is set to take her first game in charge this Saturday against world number 2 New Zealand. It will be a tough first test for Jordaan but she will have the support of former coach Norma Plummer and former assistant coach Nicole Cusack throughout the series.
Elsje Jordaan does have an experienced squad at her disposal throughout this series, with a combined 474 caps among the ranks. The Proteas have 5 players who have over 50 caps to their name including Erin Burger with 94 and Markya Holtzhausen with 83.
Within that experienced side, however, are two new faces who are expected to win their first international caps. Danelle Lochner and Ine-Mari Venter are included in the Proteas squad and will be looking to make a positive impact.
The Proteas also have two players who will be very familiar playing on Australian soil. Erin Burger plays her club netball for the Queensland Firebirds and Karla Mostert is a grand final winner with The Sunshine Coast Lightning. Mostert was a part of the grand final winning side that won the final in the same venue that South Africa play their opening Quad Series game against New Zealand on Saturday.
After the game in Brisbane against New Zealand, the Proteas travel to Canberra, where they face world champions Australia. They finish the series in Invercargill against England, who last time out defeated the Proteas in extra time.
Last Quad Series Results:
South Africa 39 – 70 New Zealand
South Africa 46 – 62 Australia
South Africa 55 – 60 England (*after extra time)
The full schedule for the upcoming Quad Series are below. Note: all times are local times to that venue.
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Will Elsje Jordaan Start Her Reign With A Win On Saturday?