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Proteas on brink of Netball World Cup semifinal berth

general15 July 2019 19:24| © SuperSport
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The Proteas beat Scotland 66-38 on Monday evening at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England, to move closer to a spot in the semifinals of the Vitality Netball World Cup.

Proteas coach Norma Plummer made a number of changes to the team that upset Jamaica just 24 hours ago.

Renske Stoltz was paired up with the on fire Lenize Potgieter and Zanele Vimbela joined Phumza Maweni in defence.

South Africa drew first blood by scoring two quick goals, however Scotland recovered quickly and claimed the lead which they retained for the better part of the first quarter.

The Proteas took the game to Scotland and managed to regain their lead taking the game 14 -10 by the end of the first quarter.

The beginning of the second quarter was no different as South Africa continued to apply pressure and exert their authority on the Scottish.

Substitute Khanyisa Chawane marshalled and controlled the middle of the court very well, she came off the bench at the start of the quarter and settled in very comfortably in that centre position.

Handling errors became a thing for Scotland as they gave away possession cheaply and the Proteas made sure that they get punished.

South Africa went into the halftime leading 32-20.

Coach Plummer introduced Sigi Burger at the start of the third quarter to replace Stoltz, Maryka Holtzhausen came in the place of Potgieter and Karla Pretorius came in the place of Maweni.

The fresh legs of Burger hit the ground as she continued to pile the pressure upfront and converting her chances.

The Proteas' game plan seemed to be around speed and agility and the Scotland team couldn't keep up the pace of the game.

South Africa seemed to be running away with this game halfway through the third quarter. At the end of the quarter South Africa were leading 49-32.

The start of the last quarter of the game saw the Proteas finishing off the game with the introduction of the experienced Erin Burger and reintroduction of the captain back on court.

The Proteas won the game 64-37, extending their winning streak to nine out of nine and Karla Pretorius earned herself the player of the match accolade which was her second one in as many days.

The Proteas made it a clean sweep of four wins in four days. They will take on Uganda on Wednesday at 8pm SA time.

If South Africa win their game against Uganda, who are ranked sixth in the world, they will earn themselves a semifinal spot.

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