Johannesburg – The South African Fast5 netball team clinched fifth position in the Fast5 World Netball Series in Auckland, New Zealand, on Sunday, with a decisive 30-22 victory over arch-rivals Malawi in the fifth place playoff.
South Africa had a much better day on Sunday, beating Malawi twice and putting up a valiant performance against defending champions New Zealand.
South Africa’s first match of the day was against the Silver Ferns, who put them under pressure from the start and ran out 34-25 victors.
Proteas captain Maryka Holtzhausen said her side needed to be more clinical with their shooting.
“We need to up our goal percentages if we want to win a match,” said Holtzhausen.
Against Malawi, the South Africans were able to hold out for a 33-30 victory.
Buoyed by their earlier win, the South Africans took charge of the fifth place playoff against their African rivals to emerge as 30-22 winners.
“As a team, we have grown throughout this tournament,” said goalkeeper turned goal attack Vanes-Mari du Toit.
“We filled the missing pieces with hard work, and gelled as a team. We’re very pleased to have beaten Malawi twice – they are our biggest competition at home and we always enjoy beating them.”
New Zealand, who have not lost a game since the introduction of Fast5, pulled off a 35-31 win over arch-rivals Australia in the final. – Sapa