Staff Reporter.
South Africa earned a late 61-59 win over England to take their three-match series down to a decider at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England.
The first quarter ended level at 16-16, before tourists South Africa led 34-30 at half-time and 47-42 at the end of the third quarter.
Roared on by the Nottingham home crowd, the Roses fought back to take the lead in the final quarter.
But the Proteas edged back in front with just over three minutes remaining and held on during a nervy finish.
The third match of the series will also be played in Nottingham on Sunday (14:00 GMT), with England having won the opener 54-51 in Manchester on Tuesday.
“We could have been beaten right on the buzzer but they dug deep, that’s the quality you need,” South Africa’s head coach Norma Plummer told Sky Sports.
“We wanted to give these young ones a run, they are the future, and we’re absolutely delighted with what they’ve put out today. Of course, tomorrow could be a totally different ball game.”
South Africa goal shooter Rolene Streutker earned her third cap in the absence of the injured Ine-Mari Venter and was named player of the match after scoring 49 of their 61 goals, missing just two shots.
“I was just taking my opportunities really,” Streutker told Sky Sports. “There’s not a lot that comes to you so when you get it, you have to grab it with both hands.
“After the first game we thought we lost it ourselves. We worked on it, we practiced, and we brought our A-game.
“We capitalised on our ball and didn’t make many mistakes on our end. I think we’ve finally got that flow.”
England appeared to lose Imogen Alison to injury before half-time but she returned later in the game and helped them go on a run of six unanswered goals early in the fourth quarter.
The Roses went ahead with just over six minutes left, only for South Africa to go back in front in the dying moments.
“To go back out in quarter four [like that] tells me a lot about the capacity and potential that this group has got,” added England head coach Jess Thirlby.
“To show that grit and at least afford ourselves a chance to get the win, having not led for most of the game, is a great sign.
“Defensively I think we’ll have to smarten up [on Sunday] but I’m pleased with the progress in attack.”
Norma Plummer’s time with the Spar Proteas is coming to an end. The Australian mentor first took up the coaching position in 2015 and led South Africa to the top four of the Netball World Cup finish for the first time in 25 years during the 2019 edition of the global competition.
Plummer, along with her assistant Nicole Cusack, will bow out after the three-test match with England. This has been their second stint with the national team after making a comeback in 2022 November to lead the Proteas in the Quad Series and the World Cup in Cape Town.
Although the 79-year-old is leaving the coaching position, she is not yet retiring from the sport. Plummer said she has had the time of her life working with South Africa.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment over my time, over the two stints that I have had and coaching such fantastic athletes. It has been a pleasure. Retiring, yes, it’s not a word I use. This is certainly the swansong with South Africa, I will always do something in netball but it won’t be working on test matches anymore. I would like to hope that I have left a legacy with players, teaching them the skill and teaching them how to maintain the standard and never drop it. It’s important if you want to be a quality player. Also sharing the knowledge around the world, that is one thing I have a passion about,” said Plummer.
The former World Cup winning coach says her two spells with the senior team were different. She says her first task was to make the Proteas a formidable team by reducing the goal difference and making the team become one of the most respected teams in the world. Plummer is satisfied that she was able to achieve this.
“The first one was quite interesting because I had a four year stint. Over those four years, we were able to bring the score lines down on the top teams of the world because I had said to the CEO (Blanche de la Guerre) and the president (Mimi Mthethwa) that was the first objective we had to work for, bringing the score lines down. It used to be defeats of 35 to 55 goals and if we were going to improve, we needed to go out on those teams and keep working at it. So that the players learnt what pressure was about, how to handle pressure, and certainly how to finish off under pressure.
It was an absolute delight in 2019, we missed out by only about two goals not to play in the gold medal (match). I was very disappointed about that. It would have been fantastic for us to have gotten over the line but the team was amazing. Absolutely amazing. In the second stint, of course, I had two and a half years away from the team, and coming back now there had been limited time. A lot of changes, players retired and some new youngsters coming into the group, it has been terrific to see them blossom over a short period,” she said.
The former Aussie Diamonds coach believes South Africa has improved and proven itself over the years.
Cpmpiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.