Free State Crinums captain and Proteas netball star, Refiloe Nketsa, is thrilled at the prospect of facing the Silver Ferns in New Zealand in a three-Test series later this year.
South Africa will travel to the Land of the Long White Cloud to take on the world’s second-ranked side in a key series aimed at building towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
New head coach Jenny van Dyk has made it clear that for the Proteas to become genuine World Cup contenders, they must regularly compete against stronger opposition. Early in her tenure, the Proteas faced both Jamaica and England away, and they’ve shown steady improvement against top-tier teams.
Speaking to Bloemfontein Courant, Nketsa said the players are eager to test themselves against the world’s best.
“It’s no secret anymore – we want to compete against the best to become the best,” she said.
“Looking back at our performances against Jamaica and England, it’s fair to say we’re on the right path. The hard work by the coaches behind the scenes, and us as players fully buying into their plan, is paying off.
“It’s exciting – we have clarity as a team, we’re following a structure, and we’re all working towards a shared vision. That kind of focus is so motivating. Playing top teams helps us believe in our own potential.”
“Now, the Proteas prepare to face New Zealand, the second-best team in the world. We’ll get a sense of how close we are to breaking into the top four. There’s real depth in South African netball, and we’re not afraid of any challenge – regardless of who we’re up against.
“Of course, we respect them, but we want to be among the best too.”
The three-Test series will be played in Auckland, Napier, and Invercargill from 21 to 28 September. – MORGAN PIEK
