England Roses wilt under Proteas' defensive onslaught in Test series opener
Spar Challenge Netball Series
Centre Tarle Mathe was one of the Proteas players who put in a sterling defensive effort in the win over England's Roses at Ellis Park Arena on Thursday night.
Image: @Netball SA on X
The Spar Proteas began their three-Test series against England’s Vitality Roses with a gritty defensive display that set the tone for an impressive 52-48 win at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
Spurred on by a raucous home crowd, the Proteas found themselves trailing early as the visitors shot out to a lead.
However, South Africa stepped up their defensive intensity to peg back Jess Thirlby’s side. Goal defence Sanmarie Visser’s steals and on-court energy sparked a revival, galvanising goalkeeper Juanita van Tonder, dynamic centre Tharle Mathe, and wing defence Jamie Golob.
In the shooting circle, Rolene Streutker’s clinical accuracy, supported by goal attack Owethu Ngubane, ensured the home side capitalised on the shift in momentum to lead 16-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Jenny van Dyk’s team maintained this pressure into the second period; the defensive trio refused to yield an inch, dominating the intercept stats 4-1 to enter the break with a 29-25 advantage.
Nicola Smith maintained the defensive pressure upon her introduction at goalkeeper in the third quarter, but the Proteas’ attack became ragged. Mistakes crept into their play, allowing the Roses to level the scores at 31-all with eight minutes left in the "championship quarter".
Van Dyk rang the changes to arrest the slide, with the re-introduction of Visser once again acting as the catalyst for a South African recovery. Kamogelo Maseko also brought the crowd to their feet, finding her range after a slow start at goal attack, though South Africa still trailed 39-38 heading into the final frame.
Returning to her starting line-up for the fourth quarter, Van Dyk saw her side immediately regain the upper hand in a see-saw encounter. With South Africa leading 44-43 and seven minutes on the clock, Visser produced another crucial steal.
Mathe’s feeds proved vital, while Streutker’s undoubted class kept the Proteas 50-47 ahead in the closing stages. The Roses were eventually stifled as the hosts held their nerve to secure a deserved four-point triumph.
Meanwhile, in the evening's curtain-raiser at Ellis Park Arena, the Proteas Men were humbled 69-36 by the Australian Kelpies in the first match of their three-match series.