Netball Super League | Sirens Vimbela shines as South Africa beat England

Four Vitality Netball Superleague players started and four came off the bench for the Vitality Roses, on the opposing side Strathclyde Sirens Zanele Vimbela was key for the South Africa SPAR Proteas as the home side came out 54-48 winners.

With the series already won, the head coach tweaked her starting seven with Team Bath’s Sophie Drakeford-Lewis getting an opportunity at goal attack for just her second senior cap. After positive cameos on Saturday, Loughborough Lightning captain Natalie Panagarry and Saracens Mavericks’ George Fisher also came into the side.

Her opposite number, Dorette Badenhorst, made three changes to her starting line-up with Vitality Netball World Cup defender and new Strathclyde Sirens signing Zanele Vimbela coming in alongside Rome Dreyer and Ine-Mari Venter at goal shooter after an injury to Sigi Burger of London Pulse.

The Vitality Roses had already won the series but it was evident early on that both teams had plenty to play for. The home side had a point to prove and came out of the blocks with a high level of urgency.

South Africa subsequently started the scoring inside the Bellville Velodrome after Ine-Mari Venter made the most of an interception from goal keeper Phumza Maweni before George Fisher levelled.

Lenize Potgieter started the game at goal attack for the home team and her combination with Venter proved fruitful in the opening stages as they raced into a 6-1 lead.

The pressure from the South African defence, a constant throughout this series and during the recent African Netball Cup, kept the ball from entering their shooting circle at times but great innovation from Fisher and Drakeford-Lewis meant England still chalked up ten goals in the first quarter.

Thirlby has proven in her three games thus far that she is not afraid to make changes and the experienced coach did so again when she brought on Manchester Thunder’s Laura Malcolm for Panagarry at wing defence.

Malcolm, one of the more experienced players in this young side, immediately showed her quality with a stunning interception but her teammates could not make the most of the opportunity due to some more exquisite defending from Player of the Match Maweni.

After another change from the bench – Mavericks’ Kadeen Corbin coming on for Drakeford-Lewis – England did manage to keep the difference at just six goals by the half-time whistle, drawing the second quarter 11-11.

Wasps Netball’s Fran Williams was brought in alongside Stacey Francis, who spent a decade at Team Bath, in defence – a partnership which had worked so well in the opening game – and things started to tighten up for the Vitality Roses.

With some excellent work in the mid-court from captain Natalie Haythornthwaite, Corbin and Fisher were getting further opportunities and were making the most of them.

Just as South Africa were building up a head of steam, England went on a terrific run to score five consecutive goals to get within two of their opponents. The momentum had shifted and Fisher drew her side level at 35-35 with five minutes of the third quarter remaining.

By this stage in the game, the Vitality Roses had score eight of the last 10 goals but South Africa were not prepared to let their lead slip for long and they were quickly 41-36 in front at the end of the third quarter.

The SPAR Proteas were in fine form during the remaining minutes of this enticing test series and had extended their advantage to 10 goals at one stage in the final quarter.

With Potgieter now at goal shooter and a defence firing on all cylinders – making 31 turnovers over the 60 minutes – the hosts were able to secure their first win.

Thirlby brought on Eleanor Cardwell of Thunder at goal attack and Panagarry at centre in a bid to change the tide, but the opposition stayed strong to win the game 54-48.

The Vitality Roses, led by captain Haythornthwaite, lifted aloft the trophy after the final whistle with Stacey Francis being awarded the Defender of the Series accolade on her return to international netball and former Surrey Storm defender Shadine van der Merwe winning MVP.

With the tense three-match series at an end, fans can look forward to seeing their favourite stars in their club colours when the 2020 VNSL season begins on 22 February at the Season Opener at Arena Birmingham. Tickets are still available to purchase via the England Netball website.

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Vitality Roses starting seven: Stacey Francis (GK), Kate Shimmin (GD), Natalie Panagarry (WD), Jade Clarke (C), Natalie Haythornthwaite (WA), Sophie Drakeford-Lewis (GA), George Fisher (GS).

SPAR Proteas starting seven: Phumza Maweni (GK), Zanele Vimbela (GD), Shadine Van Der Merwe (WD), Rome Dreyer (C), Izette Griesel (WA), Lenize Potgieter (GA), Ine-Mari Venter (GS).