Proteas goal attack Kamogelo Maseko’s (front) movement was a nightmare for Uganda to deal with, and she was chosen as the Player of the Match. Photo: Collin Reid
The Proteas were clinical in the opening game of the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in England on Saturday, their fast-paced style of play proving too hot to handle for Uganda’s ‘She Cranes’ in a 70-45 victory.
South African goal shooter Elmeré van der Berg was near-flawless with her shooting in the opening quarter at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
But it was overall hustle of the South Africans and the speed at which they pushed the ball up the court that was also impressive, as was the ability to shift the point of the attack.
SA led 19-13 at the end of the first quarter and were up 33-25 at halftime.
The Proteas took the game away from the Ugandans with a third-quarter blow-out, leading 46-29 at the end of the quarter.
Van der Berg had 33 goals at that stage, with the job all but done.
It was no surprise that there was a slight let-up in intensity in the final quarter from the South Africans considering their work-rate throughout.
They kept the scoreboard ticking over, however, with late contributions from replacement goal shooter Rolene Streutker.
Captain and wing attack KC Chawane was immense, as was tireless centre Refiloe Nketsa.
The South African defence kept Uganda’s star goal shooter Mary Cholhok relatively quiet in the defensive circle, the young Sanmarie Visser and goal defence Jamie van Wyk making sure there were no freebies.
Goal attack Kamogelo Maseko’s movement was a nightmare for the She Cranes to deal with, as it was for the Jamaicans in the recent series against the Sunshine Girls.
Her linking with Van der Berg seemed almost telepathic at times as she found the tall goal shooter at will in a display that saw her voted as the Player of the Match.
🔥 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥! 🔥
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) February 1, 2025
🎯 17/19 (89%)
Kamogelo Maseko delivers a powerhouse performance to claim 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵! 💪🇿🇦 Well deserved! 👏✨#SPARProteas #WeAreAllIn #NetballNationsCup2025
📸 Ben Lumley pic.twitter.com/dcVQ56yL45
“I think we understand each other. We know what to expect from each other,” she said of their relationship in the post-match interview.
“And it’s just a connection that we don’t even need to talk about, it just happens. It’s a natural chemistry.”
Proteas head coach Jenny van Dyk was understandably all smiles after the match.
“What a great start. I think we spent so much time understanding what Uganda are about and how they do things, and the girls have just responded so well today,” she said.
She was asked about the third-quarter performance in particular.
“We know we’re strong in the second half of the game and we always try to finish strong, so I’m pleased with how they came out after halftime.
“It also gave us quite a lot of time to touch up on what we felt we needed to change on court to make an impact.”
Next up for the Proteas in the tournament is a match against hosts England on Sunday. England were due to face Malawi in Saturday’s late match.
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