Bongi Msomi’s SPAR Proteas Come Up Short in First International Against Australia

• Bongi Msomi led the SPAR Proteas as they began their series against the World Cup winners
• The teams last met in January in a quadrangular series held in Cape Town which Australia won
• The SPAR Proteas finished sixth at the Netball World Cup following a playoff loss to Uganda

South Africa continues to test themselves against the best.

South Africa's SPAR Proteas have travelled to Australia to face the Origin Diamonds in a three-match series on Australian soil for the first time in 18 years.

South Africa has brought their best available squad, while Australia has included eight members of their World Cup-winning team.

South Africa came out the blocks quicker, converting their first two chances. Australia were unfazed and kept a consistent scoring rate to dominate the first quarter 17-9.

Defensive errors were costing South Africa but Ine Mari Venter was accurate in the shooting circle, converting six of the seven chances created.

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Cricket

SPAR Proteas coach, Norma Plummer, brought on defenders Nicola Smith and Jeante Strydom while making positional changes with captain Bongi Msomi and Khanyisa Chawane.

The changes were effective but Australia's pace of play was difficult to contain and South Africa went in at half-time 10 points down.

South Africa rang the changes again while Australia brought on Matilda Garrett for her Origin Diamonds debut.

Nichole Taljaard helped South Africa cut the deficit to eight, as did debutant Rolene Streutker who finished the match with a 92% conversion rate.

Australia upped the tempo in the final quarter to increase their lead to 14 and would get to the final whistle 19 ahead for a 62-43 win.

Speaking after the match, Plummer told Netball SA:

“I think we did very well, considering that we did not have any games since the World Cup. I am not disappointed at all, I am impressed with how everyone stepped up and raised their hands. For the remaining two tests, we will keep building."

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Football

A history of netball

Sports Brief previously compiled a short history and explainer on the game of netball.

The sport is believed to have been invented in 1890 with the first official game played at Madame Ostenburg's College in England.

After 70 years of informal structures, the International Federation of Women's Basketball and Netball was formed in 1960.