Proteas Test series in Jamaica marks a ‘turning point’

Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk feels that the challenging recent Test series in Jamaica could mark a turning point in the careers of her players.

The Proteas lost 3-0 in the Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against third-ranked Jamaica in Kingston last week, but the South African coach could not be more proud of the fight her charges showed.

Van Dyk feels the lessons they learnt in the Caribbean will serve them well in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in England that tips off this weekend, and beyond.

“The series was definitely a worthwhile effort. We travelled for 34 hours, we were put out of our comfort zone, we played at a venue and with a home crowd that you just cannot explain to people,” Van Dyk told Independent Media Sport exclusively from the UK.

“It was super-intimidating, and it was loud and it was fantastic to play in.

“And I think the mental resilience and toughness the players have gotten out of this experience is just amazing.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿. 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀. 🔥🎯
Celebrating our top shooters from the Sunshine Series!
🇯🇲🆚🇿🇦#SPARProteas #WeAreAllIn pic.twitter.com/lpry8UTZPc

— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) January 27, 2025

“And I know that this series in Jamaica is the series that we’re going to talk about in two or three years from now as one of the turning points for this team.

“It is where we really got to understand what will be required from us as a unit, and what we need to build ourselves into.”

A particular source of inspiration for the coach was the never-say-die attitude shown by the Proteas players against far more experienced opposition.

“What really makes me happy is the fact that the players have got such a great mentality, and at this stage, they are relentless,” she said.

“They want to prove themselves, and they want to make the country proud with everything within them.

“They are learning at such an accelerated rate, and they back each other.

“What I really appreciate is the fact that we are there for each other and that we are playing together as a unit, and that we have each other’s backs.

“I think what also excites me is that we fight to the end.

“At many stages, when Jamaica took an early lead, especially in the last game, that would have been so easy for us to fall behind with 30, 40 points after that start.

“Yet, we managed to keep that margin for the rest of the game. So, for me, the fight that the players are showing is something that really excites me.”

The coach was loathe to single out individual players for praise after such a strong team effort, but felt centre Refiloe Nketsi had a brilliant series under trying circumstances, as did goal attack Kamogelo Maseko, who carried much of the scoring burden and was a handful for the Sunshine Girls’ defenders.

Young Proteas defender Sanmarie Visser, playing in only her second Test, also showed great character and heart.

“She just didn’t give up once on that court, whilst she was playing with a broken nose – that nose is still broken – so it just goes to show the type of characters that we have and the passion that these players have for our country.

“And it just excites me because we are at step number one in our process of developing our players into formidable, world-class players.

“We played against a country with most of their players ranked No 1 in their positions worldwide. We didn’t stand back, so overall, a great performance.”

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇿🇦🇺🇬🇲🇼
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆! The SPAR Proteas take on England’s Vitality Roses, Uganda’s She Cranes, and the Malawi Queens in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup. 🏆

Big challenges, bigger dreams—let’s support our SPAR Proteas! 🙌#SPARProteas pic.twitter.com/RoBoWxDjQn

— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) January 3, 2025

And that fight will surely serve the Proteas well against World No 4 England, who will be smarting from their own series defeat to Jamaica, as well as fellow African powerhouses Malawi and Uganda.

The opening game of the 2024 Vitality Netball Nations Cup on Saturday sees South Africa take on Uganda at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, before England take to the court in front of their home crowd against Malawi.