The Plum has returned.
Arguably Australia’s greatest ever netball coach Norma Plummer is back – but not for the Diamonds in 2023.
Plummer has returned to her role as South Africa’s coach for the first time after an almost four-year absence.
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She is back in the Proteas fold after the nation’s disastrous Commonwealth Games campaign where they finished a lowly sixth – losing to Uganda in the place match.
It is worth noting that star duo Karla Pretorius (pregnancy) and Lenize Potgieter (injury) were missing from that campaign as well.
But with Plummer back, Pretorius says there’s a buzz around the group heading into the Quad Series.
“She doesn’t even have to say anything – she just has the aura around her,” she told Fox Netball.
“She gets the best out of any individual. Straight away there was this different feel in the camp.
“She came in and everything just felt right from the very beginning.
“She brings us a lot of confidence and we are so happy to have her back.”
Ex-Australian captain Kimberlee Green even described Plummer as “like the glue of this team”.
But not everyone was confident in Plummer’s ability to turn the Proteas’ fortunes around.
“I’m going to be a little bit controversial and say is that enough? I don’t think it will be,” New Zealand men’s coach Dion Te Whetu said on The Kiwi Netball Show.
“Particularly with the firepower these other teams are bringing.
“It will be interesting to see just how the rest of their team pulls up alongside.”
Pretorius said despite being underdogs for the series, she was keen to see how their team stacks up against netball’s best in Australia, New Zealand and England.
“I think we have a strong squad. This is a good opportunity to see where we are at,” she said.
“We’ve got equally as good players within the squad.”
One of those players back competing for a starting spot is Potgieter, who Pretorius believes has rejoined with a “new energy”.
“I think the time away was very good for her,” she said.
The Quad Series will be Pretorius’ first top level netball since the birth of her first child in 2022.
“It’s completely changed my life but for the good,” she said.
“There’s a lot of challenges and it’s so rewarding. I’m very grateful obviously for the opportunity to still be able to play.”
Quad Series matches begin from 1am AEDT Sunday.
