It was always going to be a mountain to climb for the Spar Proteas.
They were set a daunting target of beating Uganda by 64 points or more to sneak through to the semifinals but it proved an understandable mission impossible as their second preliminary stage group G match ended 52-50 at Cape Town International Convention Centre.
South Africa were made to work hard for the win, but it was not enough and they probably felt like those football teams on Champions League nights where you can win but still bomb out of the competition.
The Spar Proteas ended the preliminary stages equal on seven points with New Zealand but the Silver Ferns go through because of their superior goal difference.
New Zealand proceed to the semis with irresistible Jamaica, who have won all their five matches and will fancy their chances in the knockout stages if they continue with that form.
🗣️ "South Africans have been beautiful, since day one they've been backing us."#SPARProteas captain Bongi Msomi reflects on their two-point win over Uganda but says the team can play a lot better.#HereForHer | #NWC2023
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 3, 2023
South Africa can salvage some pride on Friday when they take on the loser of the match between Tonga and Malawi, who play on Thursday night.
The Proteas will be disappointed because at the last World Cup in Liverpool they made it to the semifinals, only to be knocked out by Australia, and went on to lose to England in the bronze medal clash.
Coach Norma Plummer picked a line-up of tried and tested performers including the likes of Bongi Msomi, Phumza Maweni and Karla Pretorius against the stubborn She Cranes.
There was little separating the two teams as the first quarter arrived with the hosts leading Uganda by five points, with Ine-Marí Venter doing most of the damage.
The Netball Proteas continued to dominate as they went to the halftime break leading by nine points but Uganda upped their tempo in the third quarter as they outscored the Proteas and reduced the deficit to five points.
Uganda also won the last quarter by three points but they could not force the match in their favour with South Africa holding on for a victory that was not quite enough.
A lot of questions will be asked but it must be remembered that Plummer said after the squad announcement in June that she could not guarantee a podium finish.
Plummer’s statement contradicted that of flamboyant Netball South Africa (NSA) president Cecilia Molokwane, who always insisted the mandate would be to finish with a medal.
Uganda, who have won hearts at the tournament with their fighting spirit and physicality, will be proud of their performances as they never allowed the bigger teams to bully them.
They suffered defeats at the hands of defending champions New Zealand and Jamaica and managed wins over lowly ranked Trinidad and Tobago and Wales.
Though the Netball Proteas will not be playing in the semifinal, projections for the future are positive as players like Khanyisa Chawane, Nichole Taljaard, Venter and Owethu Ngubane have time on their side.
South Africa 52-50 Uganda
1st Quarter: SA 16-11 Uganda
2nd Quarter: SA 33-19 Uganda
3rd Quarter: SA 41-36 Uganda
4th Quarter: SA 52-50 Uganda
