The Free State netball stalwart Khanyisa Chawane is set to make her long-awaited debut as the captain of South Africa during the three-Test series against Malawi in Johannesburg.
The 28-year-old Chawane was named as the new Proteas captain earlier in the year following the appointment of Jenny van Dyk as the new national coach. Van Dyk took over the reins from the legendary Australian, Norma Plummer, while Chawane took over the leadership role from Bongi Msomi, who is a legend of the sport in South Africa in her own right.
Chawane has certainly proved her worth on the court over the years for the Free State Crinums, as well as the University of the Free State Kovsies, as well as South Africa.
Chawane was also a part of the Kovsies coaching staff when they won the Varsity Netball for a record fifth-time.
Chawane said she is excited about what she believes is a new era in South African netball and she wants to lead by example.
“I definitely see it as a new era with the new management that has been appointed, but as the team as well, they are familiar faces, but it’s a new, or it’s a different dynamic,” said Chawane.
“I’m really excited to work with the coaches that we have, they’re visionaries, they are people who are passionate, and they always give us clear clarity of where they want us to go.
Any coach that gives you clarity is a coach that you want to buy in and you really want to work hard and achieve everything that they basically give to you.
“As a team, as a captain, it’s more leading the team to do things that have never been done before. I think it’s more of a mystery if I can put it like that because there are so many competitions to come. As the coach has also mentioned, you put yourself in a position where you just always want to win. I’m looking forward to really leading the team in achieving things that no one ever thinks we’ll be able to achieve.”
The Proteas have a strong Free State flavour this year with the veteran Karla Pretorius as the vice-captain, while players such as, Ané Retief and Rolene Streutker also in the squad.
The first Test between South Africa and the Malawi Queens will be played on Thursday night with this game at the Ellis Park Arena getting underway at 18:00. The second and third Tests will be played on Saturday and Sunday. – MORGAN PIEK
