Per square kilometre, the South African city of Cape Town has more netball superstars than anywhere else in the world right now, as four of the top nations prepare for the Quad Series.
Former Diamond turned Fox Netball commentator Madi Browne has picked four players to watch in the series between Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa, which begins Sunday.
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Weston ruled out with calf injury | 00:29
AUSTRALIA: Courtney Bruce
How Courtney Bruce navigates a series without her usual defensive partner Jo Weston, who is missing through injury, will be fascinating according to Browne.
Bruce, who led the West Coast Fever to a Super Netball premiership in 2022 and was key to the Diamonds’ success at last year’s Commonwealth Games, usually plays at goal keeper, with Weston in front of her at goal defence. Without that go-to combination, coach Stacey Marinkovich will have to mix things up.
At her disposal, she has Bruce’s Fever teammate 22-year-old Sunday Aryang, who generally plays GD, Sarah Klau, who mostly plays keeper, and Weston’s replacement, Tara Hinchliffe, who covers both positions, but is yet to debut in green and gold.
With 57 Tests under her belt, 29-year-old Bruce is the second-most capped player in the group, behind only captain Liz Watson, so Marinkovich will no doubt want her on the court for extended periods. But where? That’s the question.
“I’m interested to see the dynamics in the defence end without Jo and especially what it means for Courtney,” Browne said.
“If Stacey leaves her at keeper, she’ll be playing with a much younger player out in front of her. Or does she push her to goal defence and play Sarah back? That’s the most experienced line, which of course is great, but ultimately Courtney is a keeper, so that’s one to watch for sure.”
NEW ZEALAND: Peta Toeava
Given they play together in New Zealand’s domestic league, the brilliant connection between Peta Toeava and Grace Nweke when they teamed up for the Silver Ferns in the Constellation Cup in October didn’t come as a complete surprise.
But it still sent shockwaves through the netball world.
The diminutive wing attack and still-green 193cm goal shooter showed they could become the next great WA/GS pairing in the first two Tests at home, helping the Kiwis to a 2-0 lead in the series, ultimately won by the Diamonds.
Browne says 28-year-old Toeava, who stands at just 161cm, looks primed for a breakout series in South Africa.
“My goodness, she’s exciting, isn’t she? When we saw her connection with Grace in those Tests … oooft … it was something else. I can’t wait to see what she can produce,” Browne, regarded as one of the best wing attacks of all time, said.
“We only saw her in those two matches, which was always the plan, and Noeline Taurua is one of those coaches when she says she’s going to do something, she does it and doesn’t change course. But I think in this series, we’ll see her get some more consistent game time, as Noeline builds towards the World Cup this year.
“She and Grace having time to consolidate at this level is only going to benefit them.”
SOUTH AFRICA: Karla Pretorius
Karla Pretorius – widely regarded as the best goal defence in the world before she stepped away from the game in 2021 to have a child – will make her much-anticipated return to top-flight netball in the Quad Series.
The 32-year-old last played for her Super Netball franchise, the Sunshine Coast Lightning, in 2021 and gave birth to her daughter Kara in June last year.
The Proteas sorely missed the 94-cap veteran’s ball-winning ability and leadership at the Commonwealth Games last year, where the side finished sixth after losing to Uganda.
Browne can’t wait to see Pretorius, who plays much taller than her 181cms, back on the court.
“She’s one of those players who gives so much, not only in the defence end, in her position, but she carries so much of the ball downcourt into attack as well. And that will be huge for the Proteas, something they’ve maybe missed in her absence.”
Proteas coach, Australian icon Norma Plummer, will need Pretorius firing if her team, now sitting at fifth in the world, is to make an impact against the top three.
Plummer was handed the reigns of South Africa again just last November, with Dorette Badenhorst being removed from the post after three years at the helm.
ENGLAND: Funmi Fadoju
Young English defender Funmi Fadoju made sure the Diamonds would remember her name in her debut against them on Aussie soil late last year.
The 20-year-old replaced veteran keeper Geva Mentor in the first Test, played in Newcastle, and despite giving away 8cm, had a standout game on Sophie Garbin.
Fadoju’s performances in the Australian tour cemented her place in Jess Thirlby’s squad and she’s expected to get plenty of minutes after a star turn in the Roses’ recent series win against Jamaica.
Her impressive vertical leap and sharp positioning make her a formidable opponent, Browne said.
Fadoju, who has won two consecutive UK Superleague Young Player of the Season awards, has an X-factor and a strong work ethic, she said.
“She’s exciting to watch. She’s one of those players who can come into a game and bring something, a bit of that X-factor. We’ve seen her have an impact and she seems like one of those players who is gritty and happy to grind it out a bit.
“I love those players who get in there and do the hard work. It’s not about the flashy things necessarily, but the hard stuff, so I’m pumped to see her this series.”
Diamonds sweep Roses 3-0 | 01:21
QUAD SERIES FIXTURES (AEDT)
January 22
1am – Proteas vs Silver Ferns
3am – Diamonds vs Roses
January 23
1am – Proteas vs Roses
3am – Diamonds vs Silver Ferns
January 25
1am – Roses vs Silver Ferns
3am – Proteas vs Diamonds
January 26
1am – 3rd & 4th playoff
3am – Final
