Netball Super League | SPAR Proteas include Superleague stars in latest squad

The SPAR Proteas have named their training squad ahead of a three-match series against the Malawi Queens. The squad includes current Superleague talent and new signings for the 2021 season. London Pulse shooter Sigi Burger, who had a sensational start to the 2020 season, is included in the squad, along with her new teammate in London Lefébre Rademan who has recently been announced as a London Pulse player.

Saracens Mavericks fans will be keeping an eye on the progress of Ine-Marí Venter who has also made the squad. Venter’s signing for the Hertfordshire based franchises from Queensland Firebirds was seen as a real signal of intent as they build towards the 2021 season.

SPAR Proteas Head Coach Dorette Badenhorst along with Director of Selections Mpumi Javu together with the selectors have looked at a variety of players who could contribute to the national programme.

The coach has called up a provisional squad of 30 players who will take part in a three-day training camp before naming the final 15 who will take part in the series.

“2020 has been a very challenging year for Netball South Africa as we have had to reshuffle and revise our events calendar for the year, some of the things we had planned on doing have had to fall off due to Coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown that came with it. We were all concerned that we may not see our national team compete this year, I am delighted that we will have the SPAR Challenge series taking place this year against Malawi, said Cecilia Molokwane, Netball South Africa President.

The selected provisional squad:

Defence: Phumza Maweni; Karla Pretorius; Nozipho Ntshangase; Nicola Smith; Shadine van der Merwe; Monique Reyneke; Ané Retief; Pamela Chukwu; Fezeka Sondzaba; Bongise Wete

Mid court: Izette Griesel; Bongiwe Msomi; Romé Joubert; Khanyisa Chawane; Marlize de Bruin; Lungile Mthembu; Shannen Bartlett; Tshina Mdau; Sikholiwe Mdletshe; Precious Mthembu

Shooters: Lefébre Rademan; Kamogelo Maseko; Nichole Taljaard; Nomfundo Mngomezulu; Renske Stoltz; Sigi Burger; Nonsikelelo Mazibuko; Elmeré van der Berg; Ine-Marí Venter; Lenize Potgieter

“This year South Africa and the world have been challenged by the outbreak of COVID-19 which has caused massive disruption to every global citizen. Sport participation came to a standstill and netball like all other sporting codes was affected. Having supported netball for over 20 years, SPAR is proud to be the sponsors of the SPAR Challenge. Netball South Africa and our Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture need to be congratulated on making this series between South Africa vs Malawi at Sun City possible. On behalf of the entire SPAR family I would like to welcome our African sisters, the Malawi Queens, to South Africa. We hope that you will enjoy your stay in our beautiful and diverse country and that it will encourage you to return in the future,” said Mike Prentice, Group Marketing Executive at the SPAR Group.

Due to current lockdown restrictions, the series will be played without spectators when the 5th (South Africa) and 6th (Malawi) take to the court.