Aussie Diamonds clinch series with thumping win over SPAR Proteas

The Aussie Diamonds clinched the three-match Test series with a thumping victory over the SPAR Proteas on Wednesday. South Africa made some costly mistakes that allowed the Diamonds to win the match 67-40.

The SPAR Proteas came into the second game of the three-match series knowing that they needed to win in order to level the series ahead of the final match. Head coach Jenny van Dyk made a few changes to her starting line up with the likes of Refiloe Nketsa, Nichole Breedt and Sanmarie Visser getting starts.

South Africa wanted to use their speed to catch the Aussie Diamonds off guard, however the hosts were well aware of this plan and were quick to counter it. Tarle Marthe was brought into game half way through the first quarter so she can marshal the midcourt. Errors by the SPAR Proteas did not help their cause as Aussie Diamonds took the quarter 18-11.

In the second quarter, Aussie Diamonds continued where they left off at the end of the first quarter – they were putting the SPAR Proteas under enormous pressure and forcing them into unforced errors. Australia continued piling the goals on the other end and took the quarter 14-11, making it 32-22 at half-time.

Kamogelo Maseko replaced captain Khanyisa Chawane just before the break and in the championship quarter, Van Dyk introduced Rolene Streukter and Owethu Ngubane in attack to replace Breedt and Elmere van der Berg. Australia exerted more pressure and displayed their experience in this quarter. They continued to dominate the game and extended their lead to 50-30.

Van der Berg returned to the court in the last quarter in an attempt to reduce Australian lead however this was not the case as world champs stood their ground – they continued to pile on the pressure and did not allow the SPAR Proteas to execute their game plan, At the end of the 60 minutes, it was the Diamonds that took the match 67-40 to clinch the series.

“I am really disappointed with our game today, no excuses will be made if anything, full accountability is what is needed. The work that we have put in as a team over the past couple of weeks doesn’t justify the performance that we showed today, everyone will be disappointed. There will always be ups and downs, if you’re going to be played number one and two in the world, then you need to brace yourself because they are definitely not waiting for South Africa to catch up and allowing us to just take what they have worked hard for over the years. The Aussies were just dominating in every department, lesson for us is to be always prepared and understand what it means to talk a big game and play one,” said van Dyk.

Fixtures

Saturday – 11.30am @ Red Energy Stadium (Aus won 64-53)

Wednesday – 10.30am @ Wollongong Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (Aus won 67-40)

Sunday – 7.30am @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

SPAR Proteas Squad

Khanyisa Chawane (capt), Nicholé Breedt, Entle Futshane, Kamogelo Maseko, Tarle Mathe, Owethu Ngubane, Refiloe Nketsa, Nozipho Ntshangase, Nicola Smith, Rolene Streutker, Elmeré van der Berg, Shadine van der Merwe, Juanita van Tonder, Jamie van Wyk, Sanmarie Visser.