Captain Chawane confident as new-look Proteas prepare for England challenge

The rivalry between the SPAR Proteas and England’s Vitality Roses will be reignited when the SPAR Challenge netball series gets underway at the Ellis Park Arena in the City of Johannesburg on Thursday.

Proteas captain Khanyisa Chawane said she is confident her side has what it takes to pull off another win against the English.

“I'm very excited. I mean, this group has been exciting me from day one when we came into camp, and I'm just looking forward to doing well against England,” said Chawane.

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A HISTORY OF COMPETITION

The teams, currently ranked fourth (England) and fifth (South Africa) in the world, have enjoyed some hotly contested clashes over the years. Most recently, at the start of last year, the SPAR Proteas and England claimed one win apiece during the Nations Cup in the UK.

Chawane spoke to Eyewitness News about the team's transition following the departure of experienced players like Bongi Msomi and the integration of new, hungry players into the squad.

“I think the transition of Bongi and them really leaving and bringing in the new players—yes, you can see the gap, because that experience has really left. But you can see the difference in hunger; those who are young coming in are really hungry to perform for South Africa and are really hungry to play for the SPAR Proteas. I think that's what's exciting,” Chawane noted.

FRESH DYNAMICS

The SA captain describes the dynamic brought by the young players as vibrant and different, adding a fresh perspective to the team.

“It brings a new dynamic within the SPAR Proteas. It brings something that you do not expect. With the old ones, you knew what to expect, you knew what was coming up, but now it's just vibrant. It's just different. And I love the fact that it brings a different type of growth within the team.”

Discussing the team's development, Chawane highlighted the positive impact of the Under-21 group and the Telkom Netball League (TNL) on player performance.

“I think it's been really good; the transition has been really good in terms of the work that Netball South Africa has been doing on the youngsters. I love the fact that we have an Under-21 group. I love the fact that we have different districts, and we have the TNL league that always keeps players on their toes. We're able to perform, and at the same time, we've got players playing overseas that are forming a big part of the SPAR Proteas group.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO GLASGOW

The Proteas and Vitality Roses have been drawn in the same pool for the Commonwealth Games, to be held later this year in Glasgow.

Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk welcomed the opportunity to face top-tier opposition on home soil.

“It’s great to have the first opportunity as a new coaching pair to actually play one of the [world’s] top four in South Africa. That’s also something that we feel—they need to feel a little bit of our environment, so we’re hoping that the crowds will come out and give them that true South African feel to the game as well,” said Van Dyk.

“You only become the best if you play against the best and if you beat the best… And it’s important that the players understand the standard they have to uphold,” she added.