In the match of the tournament, hosts South Africa sensationally drew 48-all with the world champion Silver Ferns overnight.
New Zealand led for most of the game but in a heart-stopping final quarter Norma Plummer’s Proteas found away.
An intercept by keeper Phumza Maweni in the dying seconds made its way to the Proteas’ circle and when Nichole Taljaard sunk it from distance, the Cape Town arena erupted.
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Proteas captain Bongi Msomi said her side believed it could push the Ferns. “We believed we could put up a great performance. It would have been great if it was a win, but we will take the draw,” she said.
“I’ve been with the girls for a long time. We’ve worked really hard to get in such positions and a few times we’ve let ourselves down.
“There’s so much pride to see them step up and play good netball. For me to be a part of that … it’s fantastic,” Msomi said.
New Zealand coach Dame Noeline Taurua said the match came down to moments.
“We had ball in hand in that last centre pass, probably had 30 seconds which we could have drained that clock, but didn’t,” Taurua said.
“There were some positive things, but we have to take the draw on the chin.”
She rejected suggestions her players “cracked” under pressure in the last.
Netball World Cup: Australia v Malawi | 17:41
“I hate the word crack ’cause I think that’s disrespectful to people. I think there were areas that people could have done better but that’s how it goes,” she said.
Jamaica wins Caribbean clash
As expected, Jamaica won the clash of the Caribbean nations, comfortably accounting for Trinidad and Tobago 89-26.
Sunshine Girls’ centre Nicole Dixon-Rochester was named MVP after 25 goal assists, 35 feeds, 28 with an attempt, and two intercepts. Romelda Aiken-George played three quarters at shooter and finished with 38/43.
Captain Jhaniele Fowler, who shot 16/18 in the third, was happy with the 63-goal win and the player management.
“I felt the rotation of the team was really good, ensuring we were all rested (for the next game against New Zealand), as well as making sure we are all getting enough game time, (so) when we get on-court to play any other team, we are fit and ready,” she said.
Looking ahead to the clash with New Zealand, Fowler was reserved about tactics.
“What we can give away is that we are going to stay disciplined and play our game and I reckon once we do that, we should be okay.”
Trinidad and Tobago goal attack Joelisa Cooper was pragmatic about the result.
“It is Jamaica … and we have new players and young players who are very inexperienced and this is the biggest tournament they have played in. So we were being realistic,” she said.
