The Spar Proteas have crashed out of the 2023 Netball World Cup despite their slender 52-50 victory against Uganda in a Pool G match on Thursday.
South Africa needed to secure an unlikely victory margin of more than 64 goals and keep opponents from scoring over 20 goals to progress to the semi-finals.
The Spar Proteas started like a house on fire with goal attack Ine-Mari Venter enjoying a better start and succeeding with all her attempts.
Uganda’s star shooter Mary Cholhok found it challenging against Proteas’ veteran goalkeeper Phumza Maweni, who had her boxed in with little room to stamp her authority.
South Africa’s swift ball movement across the court troubled the She Cranes, preventing them from executing their attacking style effectively.
During the second quarter, the Proteas extended their lead to 10 goals, with Maweni continuing to be disruptive.
The Ugandans made first substitutions 10 minutes before half-time, but that did not have any effect as South Africans went into the break 33-19 in front.
The third quarter was entirely dominated by Uganda, as they outscored the Proteas by nine goals (17-8), finding their rhythm and quickly narrowing the gap.
In the final quarter, Ugandans were clearly intent on snatching the victory away from the hosts, and they almost did.
Having been 12 goals down at one point, they managed to equalise and levelled the score at 42-all within four minutes.
A crucial intercept under the Uganda goal post by goal defence Nicola Smith turned the ball back to South Africa’s goal circle and the Proteas managed to secure a narrow 52-50 win to avenge their 2022 Commonwealth Games loss.
The Proteas will now have to settle for less and contest in the position play-offs match against Tonga on Friday evening.
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