South Africa put up a strong fight against New Zealand in the third and final netball international in Invercargill, before going down 57-56 and conceding the series 3-0.
Proteas coach Jenny van Dyk made a few changes to her starting seven going into the final encounter. Owethu Ngubane got to start and paired with Elmere van der Berg upfront while Jamie van Wyk was joined by Nicola Smith in defence.
South African captain Khanyisa Chawane joined an elite list of centurions who have donned the green and gold for the Proteas as she took to court for the 100th time.
Nicola Smith kept Grace Nweke at bay during the opening quarter while Ngubane and van der Berg were hard at work on the opposite end of the court. It was South Africa who finished the quarter 12-8 ahead.
The Proteas came out of the starting blocks quicker at the beginning of the second quarter with Ngubane netting from the first centre pass. For the first time in 40 meetings between the two nations, the Proteas led the Silver Ferns at half-time, 29-23.
The hosts came out of the half-time change room break a different team; they were quick off the mark and ensured that they reduced Proteas lead with speed. Van Dyk introduced Kamogelo Maseko and Refilwe Nketsa in place if both Chawane and Van der Merwe, respectively. South Africa achieved yet another milestone in this match winning the third quarter for the first time since 1965, at the end of the third quarter, the Proteas led 43-41.
The Proteas were dealt a blow when Nicola Smith was sent off three minutes into the final quarter, giving the Silver Ferns an advantage.South Africa pushed the Silver Ferns all the way to the very last play, but however, it was the hosts who scored the winning goal with two seconds left on the clock.
Speaking after the series, centurion, and captain Khanyisa Chawane said: “I am immensely proud of the team and what we have been able to achieve, looking at where we started at the start of the series compared to how we finished. This is testament to the growth of the team. Every player showed up and gave their best. It is sad how we lost it at the end.”
The Proteas now travel to Australia for a three-test series against the world’s top-ranked Aussie Diamonds starting with the opening test in Bendigo on Saturday.
