Picture: The match between Spar Proteas and Jamaica/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
20 January 2025- The SPAR Proteas went down 55-47 to Jamaica in a hard fought first Test in the three-match Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday but national coach Jenny van Dyk is not downcast. Van Dyk said the two teams traded goal for goal in the closely contested first quarter, which ended 12-all.
“The last time we played Jamaica; we lost by 18 points – this time we lost by eight. There is something to work on and next time, we will know what to expect.
“During the second quarter, the South African goalkeeper Nicola Smith fell heavily and had to leave the court with an arm injury and her replacement Ane Retief was sent off for two minutes for a foul (dangerous play),” she said.
Van Dyk further said the Sunshine Girls took advantage of the situation and won the quarter by 16 goals to 11. She added that Jamaica maintained momentum and made the most of the situation in the third quarter and on two occasions, stretched their lead to 10 points.
“But the SPAR Proteas fought back hard and reduced the margin to seven goals. (42-35) In the final quarter, the Sunshine Girls surged ahead to take a 12-point lead, but Captain Khanyisa Chawane’s team fought to the end and some superb shooting by Elmere van den Bergh supported by inform goal attack Kamogelo Maseko, helped the SPAR Proteas to finish the match just eight goals behind.
“South Africa last toured Jamaica in 2012. I thought they had done well to cope with the atmosphere in the packed National Indoor Stadium. We theoretically know how they play, but there is nothing like experiencing it,” said van Dyk.
She said the noise and the vibe are something special, but it can put you off your game. Van Dyk said she thinks there is a lot they can take out of this match, and they know what they need to work on.
The assistant coach, Zanele Mdodana shared the same sentiments. Mdodana said the second quarter was very expensive for them, with a player injured and another sent off, but they should be able to cope with setbacks like that.
“We had a plan and a strategy, but we were thrown a curve ball in the second quarter. That’s where we lost the match, because all the other quarters were very close. Losing Nicola changed the momentum of the game.
“In the curtain raiser, the SPAR Baby Proteas impressed in beating Jamaica Under-21 by 61 goals to 31. The next match is on 23 January 2025 (2am SA time) and the final test on 26 January 2025 (1am SA time),” she said.
Meanwhile, all matches are live in SuperSport Variety 4 DStv Channel 209.
The Guardian 