Proteas netball coach Elize Kotze has made four changes to the national team ahead of the Fast Net international tournament in Liverpool, England, later this month.
Goal attack Maryke Holtzhausen and wing/goal defence Precious Mthembu were included in the squad named on Wednesday.
Karla Mostert and Kgomotso Itlhabanyeng, involved in the Netball SA training programme since the beginning of the year, were also called up.
“Eighty per cent of the team are very experienced and there is no-one in the squad who is totally new,” Kotze said.
“I'm very happy to have Maryke back in the team. She is a very important part of the squad.”
The six top-ranked countries from 2010 – Australia, New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Fiji and SA – will take part in the Fast Net tournament between November 25 and 27.
Fast Net is a shortened version of netball, with some rule changes.
Quarters are only six minutes long, shooters can score from inside or outside the goal circle, with goals scored from outside earning double points, and rolling substitutions are allowed throughout the match.
Each team can also select one quarter as a power play, when all goals scored are doubled.
“It's very fast and it's very exciting,” Kotze said.
“You have to play a very technical and tactical game.
“Maryka and Chrisna (Bootha) have been practicing shooting from outside the circle, because during the power play, goals scored from outside the circle are worth four points.
“Those things become important, because you know that every time you score a goal, the other side is going to get the ball.”
Kotze said Fast Net would help the players hone their skills and this would improve their performances under standard rules.
“For instance, if the goal shooters become comfortable shooting from outside the circle, they will feel more confident about getting out of their comfort zone inside the circle when they play in a standard game,” she said.
“That can affect the defenders, who are used to defending closer to the goalposts.”
SA netball team: Tsakane Mbewe, Chrisna Bootha, Maryka Holtzhausen, Vanes-Mari du Toit, Bongiwe Msomi, Erin Burger, Nokuthula Qegu, Amanda Mynhardt (captain), Kgomotso Itlhabanyeng, Zukelwa Cwaba, Karla Mostert, Precious Mthembu. – Sapa