RECAP: South Africa edge Uganda in Netball World Cup

The Proteas faced a massive game against New Zealand on Wednesday night as they kept their hopes alive of qualifying for the Netball World Cup semi-finals by securing a famous draw.

They came into Thursday’s match against Uganda needing a big win, but in the end the hosts could only manage a hard-fought two point win.

South Africa are still far behind in goal percentage compared to Jamaica, and so unfortunately they won’t progress to the semi-finals.

ALSO READ: A proud and historic day for women’s sport in South Africa

YOU CAN LOOK BACK AT THE SA V UGANDA LIVE SCORING AT THE NETBALL WORLD CUP BELOW:

ALSO READ: Open Letter: Netball South Africa must bar Uganda from Netball World Cup

ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about the Netball World Cup 

Proteas expected huge threat from Uganda

“Uganda have been playing really well at this World Cup. They have a totally different style of play, different from what we had against New Zealand on Wednesday, and we have to work around that,” Proteas coach Norma Plummer commented.

“They have grown over the past few years and hopefully we can challenge them right to the end of the match.”

Captain Bongiwe Msomi also urged her teammates not to underestimate Uganda. 

“I don’t think you can aim to go against Uganda and think you are going to score as many goals. It will be about grinding quarter by quarter and if we can go with a big margin, that’s what we are going to do. 

“But winning by a big margin is not the focus. They are a good side and we respect them. We were disappointed with our third quarter against Jamaica [in a costly first preliminary stage defeat] and the players spoke about how we can’t let the opposition go up that much.  

“Credit to the girls. I remember saying at half time they [New Zealand] would throw changes and we musn’t worry about it. I said, ‘stay intact, don’t worry about it’.

“And I think we are starting to believe we can put up performances when we are in sync. It is great for netball in the country. We will take a draw.” 

ALSO READ: Nweke out with injury, SA hopes alive – NWC2023 Update