Netball Scoop: Cape Town Wrap - Day 8 Friday 4th August

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Results

15/16 Placing – Singapore 49 def Sri Lanka 46

13/14 Placing – Zimbabwe 75 def Barbados 48

5-8 Playoff – Uganda 57 def Malawi 46

5-8 Playoff – South Africa 72 def Tonga 46

Injuries

Singapore wing defence Shu Ning Yew appeared to suffer a serious knee injury as she tried to pressure Sri Lanka and not go offside in the third quarter of their match.

Thandie Galleta (Malawi) suffered what appeared to be a nasty ankle injury, but returned in the second quarter.

Christine Nakitto (Uganda) left the court with a lower limb injury.

Milestones

Carla Boyce got on court for her test debut for Barbados

Shaquanda Greene-Noel (Trinidad & Tobago) has announced she is stepping away from netball to concentrate on her studies, business, travel and family. Greene-Noel was a much loved member of the national team and the Celtic Dragons, and will be a huge loss to netball.

Trinidad & Tobago captain, Shaquanda Greene-Noel, at the 2019 Netball World Cup. Image: May Bailey

Sasha Corbin has also played her last international game of netball, after a career representing Barbados and England.

Stat Chat

Yesterday was the first time that Australia and New Zealand have lost a match on the same day at a Netball World Cup.

Nalani Makunde of Zimbabwe recorded the highest individual score of the World Cup so far when shooting 57/59 in the 13th/14th placing match against Barbados. Hers was the fifth instance of a player scoring 50 goals or more in a match in this tournament. Some players would have no doubt scored more in other games had they been given the full 60 minutes, but nevertheless, Makunde still has the highest score to date. And she was rewarded with the match MVP for her effort.

Nalani Makunde – 57/59 (Zimbabwe v Barbados)
Sophie Garbin – 54/60 (Australia v Fiji)
Georgia Rowe – 53/54 (Wales v Uganda)
Elmere van der Berg – 50/53 (South Africa v Tonga)
Elmere van der Berg – 50/57 (South Africa v Sri Lanka)

This was Zimbabwe’s last match in the tournament, so Makunde won’t be adding to her overall tally. She has scored 218 goals at 94 percent, which puts her currently in third place behind Uneeq Palavi of Tonga and Joyce Mvula of Malawi who each have 221 goals. Jhaniele Fowler has 213 goals (at 97 percent), but will almost certainly take top spot by tournament’s end as she still has two matches remaining to Palavi and Mvula’s one.

Jhaniele Fowler only missed one goal in her teams win against South Africa on Day 3.
Image – Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports

Let’s Talk

After a slow start, tenacious Singapore’s disciplined play was just too much for Sri Lanka to hold on for the full 60 minutes. In the first quarter, Sri Lanka powered to a seven goal lead with wonderful shooting from their tall spearhead Thishala Algama. However, from the second quarter momentum already started building against them, and when they made midcourt changes, the door really opened for the Singapore attack to dictate terms.

Singapore began to consistently squeeze out turnovers and intercepts, drawing the scores right on three quarter time, thanks to a beautiful deflection by Aqilah Andin. Player of the match Amandeep Chahal’s excellent leadership, accuracy, and court craft made sure that,once Singapore hit the lead, they would not be beaten. A last minute passing error dashed any hopes of Sri Lanka clawing back the three-goal margin, causing jubilant celebration from Singapore’s supporters.

Singapore ended the tournament in 15th place, well ahead of their world ranking of 28th, while Sri Lanka finished in 16th.

Angelina Lim on lead for a pass on Day 8.
Image – Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports

Zimbabwe avenged their loss to Barbados earlier in the week with an emphatic 75-48 win, built from a relentless 22-7 third quarter. The Zimbabwean structure was secure, organised and clinical, choosing smart outlet passess and well-executed lobs to their shooters. Starting with the dynamic Nicole Muzanenamo at goal attack rather than at centre made a huge difference, as Zimbabwe led for most of the first half.

They also employed excellent fast feet in defence, constantly requiring Barbados to choose the second or third option. The Bajan flair resulted in some exciting passages, but also put themselves and their teammates under unnecessary pressure. Frustration turned into a warning for deliberate contact by Teresa Howell as Zimbabwe built a slim two-goal lead at half time.

The second half saw Zimbabwe take complete control, quickly leading 9-4. Some desperate changes saw Barbados’ best shooter Kadeen Corbin moved to goal keeper. Barbados started to disintegrate, struggling to even get the ball into their shooters’ hands, or to maintain any semblance of defensive structure. Zimbabwe took advantage and blew the lead out to 17 at three quarter time. The rout continued in the fourth quarter with the Zimbabwean avalanche of intercepts from Zimusi, Kwanga and Mushore, and 97% shooting from player of the match Nalani Makunde, inspiring their supporters to ecstatic singing and dancing.

Zimbabwe’s 13th position finish will be a disappointment for them, given they were targeting a top 7 or 8.

Former England Roses midcourter Sasha Corbin in her last game of netball, alongside sister Kadeen. Image – Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports

Uganda beat Malawi 57 to 46 for the first time at a Netball World Cup, after having the wood over them in the last few years.

Early errors from Malawi’s attacking end saw Uganda jump out to an early lead. However, it wasn’t long before both teams settled into the goal for goal rhythm of what is always an enthralling encounter between the two nations.

Queens shooter Joyce Mvula was well covered by Haniisha Muhameed, leaving the bulk of the early shooting to goal attack Mwai Kumwenda. Similarly for Uganda, Shadiah Nassanga was the star of the show. Nassanga overshadowed the more well known Mary Cholhok, doubling her score and finishing with 38/39, 14 goal assists and 18 centre pass receives.

Takondwa Lwazi continued her spectacular run of form at centre for Malawi, pulling off a circle edge intercept to level the scores late in the first.

An ankle injury to industrious wing attack Thandie Galleta changed Malawi’s attacking struc no tures in the second quarter, with Jane Chimaliro difficult to spot behind Shaffie Nalwanja, and responsible for a number of errors. While Galleta returned to the game later on, Uganda had already taken advantage to push out to a five goal lead by half time.

Lorren Ngwira was finding ball against Mary Cholhok, but also attracting the umpires eye as she finished with an eye-popping 29 penalties and 3 gains.

Heavily punished by the umpires with 96 penalties, Malawi will be relegated to playing off for 7th or 8th, while Uganda will face off against South Africa for 5th or 6th place.

Mary Cholhok struggles to keep her balance against a physical Malawi defence. Image Danny Dalton

‘Air Joyce’ on full display against Uganda on Day 8.
Image – Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports

In what was a tightly contested first quarter ending 12 all, South Africa seemed fatigued from the tight turnaround of games. From early fumbles of the ball, to a shooting average of 63.2% for the 15 minutes, it was a subpar performance by the Proteas’ standards.

Tonga did not capitalize off the early mistakes by South Africa, making 8 general play turnovers in the first 15 minutes. However, they didn’t miss a shot in those first 15 minutes which kept them in the contest.

Cat Tuivaiti, in what seems to be her game of the tournament, anchored the attacking side of Tonga and was still on 100% with 14 goals at half time. That wasn’t enough to combat the through court defence of South Africa, with centre Izette Griesel taking 2 intercepts but also being lethal in attack, with 33 feeds for the match.

The last quarter saw the South African side run away with the game. In an MVP performance, Elmeré van der Berg shot 50 goals across three quarters at 94,3%. This was backed up by a brilliant fourth quarter for the host nation, with only 3 turnovers.

Tonga really lost control of the game in the second quarter. They struggled to get the ball into their shooters and had difficulty winning ball in defence. Hulita Veve was solid in the midcourt for Tonga with 2 intercepts, 27 feeds and 16 goal assists.

After not making the semi-finals by mere goal difference, South Africa will play off in the 5th v 6th match, while Tonga will play in the 7th v 8th match. Considering they didn’t have a world ranking last year, it’s a remarkable achievement.

Tongan defender Lose Fainga’anuku putting pressure over the shot of Taljaard. Image – Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports

What’s News?

Records haven’t been able to confirm the feat, but it seems likely that Cat Tuivaiti is the first person to play for three different national teams. A New Zealander of Māori, Tongan and Samoan descent, Tuivaiti started her career with Samoa (2005-2007) and then the Silver Ferns (2011-2014), before donning the red Tala dress at the 2023 Netball World Cup. She didn’t however play for New Zealand at a World Cup as she has done with Samoa and now Tonga..

The atmosphere at the World Cup has been amazing all week, but was particularly spine tingling during the Tongan v South African match.The Tala crowd were singing hymns, which were interspersed with traditional African songs and chants led by Springboks’ captain Siya Kolisi, who is a strong supporter of women’s sport.

The African songs belong to many different cultural groups, with the Xhosa culture being predominant around Cape Town. The songs known as Gwijo’s are centered around many aspects of life as an African, including a mix of struggle songs, coming of age songs and the significance of community.