A six-player South Africa has pulled off a miracle 46-all draw against England, despite having goal keeper Phumza Maweni sent from the court in high drama.
It was one of the most remarkable finishes to a game in netball history as the sole South African defender, Karla Pretorius, managed to pull off the “Hollywood” intercept with just 30 seconds remaining – despite having two players to cover.
Fans in the Cape Town stadium could not contain their excitement as the Proteas pulled off the draw in the frantic final seconds.
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The drama started when Maweni was cautioned in the third term, and then given an official warning for persistent contact in early in the final quarter.
But the match turned when umpire Angela Armstrong-Lush stopped the tied game with 68 seconds to go.
Armstrong-Lush immediately gave Maweni her marching orders – a two-minute suspension off the court – leaving Pretorius as the sole defender for South Africa to see out the contest.
The Roses dropped the goal to give themselves the lead but it was Pretorius who produced the miracle with 30 seconds to go as Lenize Potgieter calmly slotted the goal to tie scores at full time.
“The crowd are on their feet,” the Fox Netball commentators said.
“It may not be a win, but it will be a famous draw for South Africa and the six players on court.
“They had everything against them, but they get the draw.
“They only needed one (defender) and the one they had carried them forward.”
Under netball rules, a player who is suspended takes no part in play for 2 minutes playing time. That player cannot be replaced – until that player is in the centre position.
It’s fitting it was Pretorius and Potgieter who secured the draw, with both players legends for their nation – but missed the Commonwealth Games campaign through pregnancy and injury respectively.
The draw showed an incredible fightback from South Africa as the Roses looked ready to run away with the match in the last.
But it’s a bitter pill to swallow for England, who are now winless after the first two Quad Series matches.
And it just heaps more pressure onto coach Jess Thirlby’s coaching future given the Roses’ subpar fourth place at the Commonwealth Games and the winless series against Australia in October.
England captain Natalie Metcalf didn’t have any excuses post-match.
“I think we had moments to win that game which is really disappointing,” she said.
Just one day after a shock “brain fade” against Australia, England once again blew an early lead as tensions threaten to spill over in the second term.
Roses goal shooter Liv Tchine was even called over by umpire Armstrong-Lush in the second term and handed an official caution for dissent.
Remarkably Tchine had only been on-court for 11 minutes before drawing the umpire’s ire after Helen Housby was benched at quarter time.
Down the other end, Lenize Potgieter also had a running battle with the umpire as she regularly complained about the treatment she was receiving.
“It’s getting very heated in the circle,” Fox Netball’s Cath Cox said.
“This game’s getting very physical, it’s getting very willing.
“I saw Potgieter getting very flustered – she’s got to keep her cool.”
Despite the fiery nature of the contest, scores were all tied up at 23-all at half time.
The Roses had started with a bang on Monday morning, pushing out quickly to a six-goal advantage.
But like they did against the Diamonds, they just couldn’t protect that lead as they coughed up 10 of the next 13 goals – including a run of six straight to the home nation.
It’s become a worrying trend for a side that had held the Commonwealth Games netball crown from 2018.
“Things are falling a bit apart for England,” the commentators lamented.
South Africa remained composed in the third term to take a three-goal lead into the final change before the intensity and pressure really ramped up in the final 15 minutes.
Coach Jess Thirlby rolled through her bench once again to try and find the right combination but in the end it was South Africa’s determination that saw them steal a draw.
STARTING SEVEN
England: GS Helen Housby, GA Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, WA Natalie Metcalf, C Imogen Allison, WD Layla Guscoth, GD Funmi Fadoju, GK Geva Mentor
South Africa: GS Lenize Potgeiter, GA Nichole Taljaard, WA Izette Griesel, C Bongiwe Msomi, WD Shadine Van Der Merwe, GD Karla Pretorius, GK Phumza Maweni
