CAPE TOWN – Spar Proteas goal shooter Lenize Potgieter has admitted the loss against Jamaica was an awakening call for them but is confident the side is ready for the next challenge.
South Africa will face another Caribbean side, 24 hours after their loss in the Pool C match of the 2023 Netball World Cup.
The defeat to Jamaica means the hosts finished in second place and are set to play with the G6 team in the second stages of the tournament.
Potgieter has applauded combinations tried by head coach Norma Plummer.
“It’s one of the toughest matches you can find, I mean, super SSN championship duo Shay and LA started with them – so that’s already super hard. But you know what, I trust my team, we like sisters,” said Potgieter.
“I just got a bit of a niggle, you know all the knees went there. So my management and my team are looking after me.
“In terms of the combinations, you know what, me and El [Elmere van der Berg] we played well – I enjoyed playing with her. She is a little bit inexperienced, she’s still very young, but that’s how we learn.”
The Spar Proteas’ all-time top goal scorer, suffered a niggle but managed to maintain a 100% record on Sunday.
Potgieter adds: “If we don’t go against tougher opponents then we won’t see where we can improve on everything. So I learn new stuff with El – then I learn new stuff with Nicole as well,’ she said.
“Each of them brings their own thing, Nicole is like a Jack Russell in front of me running around El is more like a giraffe.
“But each of them has their characteristics, like strengths they bring into the circle with me.”
Lenize knows what is waiting for them on Trinidad & Tobago’s side and admits it won’t be easy.
The Caribbean side finished in third spot in Pool D Stage 1.
“So I think with the Caribbean teams, even the African teams, they are very physical teams. I don’t wanna say they lack structure but they like playing the balls around,” she continues.
“They are good with playing the balls around short balls. I mean, then you have tall players like jail in the circle for them, which is like a rock for them.
“So it’s hard playing against them, and hard to do an analysis on them as well. But all in all, we just stick to the game plans that Norma and Nick give us and hopefully, that pulls us through.”
Lenize won’t be available to feature in the world going forward due to injury and will be replaced by Owethu Ngubane.
Image: Netball World Cup