There is only one new cap in the South African Under-21 netball team selected for the world youth championships in Glasgow, Scotland next month. “We have brought in Lisa-Marie Wiese to replace Melanie von Gunter, who is injured, but other than that, we have stuck to the squad that has been together since September last year,” explained Netball South Africa’s Director of Selections, Christine du Preez.

“The team we have chosen is a strong one, both physically and mentally, and they are a highly disciplined unit. Because they have been together for so long, they also work very well as a unit,” she said.

The players have been attending monthly training camps, as well as following personal training programmes developed for each player by a bio-kineticist. The Baby Proteas will take part in the men’s competition at the national championships in Rustenburg early next month. “We want to give them some game time before they leave for Glasgow, and the men provide a different perspective. Men’s netball tends to be very fast, which will be to their advantage when they play in the world championships,” said Du Preez.

South Africa have been drawn in Pool A, which includes Australia, Fiji, Israel and Namibia.
“It’s quite a tough group,” said Du Preez. “Australia and Fiji are always tough competitors, and we won’t be taking victory over Israel and Namibia for granted either. We don’t know yet who we play first, but we’re hoping to get off to a good start so that we can develop some momentum.”

Under21 team: Deancke Rohde, Danielle Willemse, Mari-Lena Joubert, Lisa-Marie Wiese, Bongolethu Ngobeni, Izette Lubbe, Simphiwe Sithebe, Nobubele Phuza, Rochelle Lawson, Shadine van der Merwe, Kefilowe Tsotetsi, Zandre Kruger.