The Proteas’ World Cup netball campaign ended in great disappointment in Cape Town on Sunday when they were beaten 49-47 by Uganda in the play-off for fifth place.
This means that the Proteas, a team from whom so much was expected beforehand, finished the tournament in sixth place and lost their fifth place in the ranking.
Shadiah Nassanga struck the first blow when she gave Uganda a 2-0 lead shortly after the center throw-in.
But the Proteas fought back, although Uganda led 12-11 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Proteas’ Australian coach, Norma Plummer, moved the captain, Bongi Msomi, to attacking wing and Izette Griesel to centre.
The game was still very even and after the second quarter the score was 23-23.
In the third quarter, Uganda got its nose in front again.
On the Proteas’ side, Khanyisa Chawane was sent up to replace Griesel, who suffered a bump (blood) on her face when she intercepted the ball.
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SOUTH AFRICA 23
UGANDA 23#SPARProteas | #NWC2023 pic.twitter.com/CzI2oJ7YeI— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) August 6, 2023
Uganda finished with a lead of 39-37.
Tension rose in the last quarter and the large spirited crowd, who stood firmly behind the Proteas, applauded every point.
Uganda was ahead by only two points, but Nichole Taljaard drew the Proteas 40-40.
Uganda stretched its lead to 42-40.
In a last ditch effort, Owetho Ngubane was sent on in Taljaard’s place, but Uganda retained possession by frustrating the Proteas with a series of passes, before the game ended in his favour.
At the end Uganda had 60% of the possession and the Proteas only 40%.
Uganda was also more accurate and had a goal success rate of 88%, compared to the Proteas’ 84%.
South Africa’s Elmeré van der Berg was spot on with 36 of her 43 attempts and Taljaard succeeded with 11 of her 13 attempts.
Uganda’s Mary Cholhok, who is 2.01m tall, was named the Most Valuable Player of the match after scoring 29 of her 32 shots on goal.
????️ “I’m proud of myself, my family got a chance to come and watch me. This is my last World Cup.”
An emotional Phumza Maweni, who was sensational for the #SPARProteas throughout #NWC2023reflects on the tournament and finishing sixth ???????? pic.twitter.com/DsxtGwikgH
— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) August 6, 2023
