South African Netball national team coach Norma Plummer says the Proteas must be strong mentally if they are to do well at the Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England.
The Proteas will kick off their campaign against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.
The team did well at the recent Quad series featuring defending champions Australia, New Zealand (NZ) and England. They beat England but lost narrowly against Australia and NZ when they were in a position of winning at some point.
The Proteas have several players who are plying their trade overseas such as captain Bongi Msomi, Karla Mostert, Maryka Holtzhausen, Erin Burger, Phumza Maweni, Shadine Van der Merwe and many more.
Plummer believes they have the experience to compete against the best in the world.
SA will also play against Fiji on Saturday and Jamaica on Sunday in their pool.
The second ranked team in the world Jamaica are expected to be the biggest test for the Proteas. Plummer says they are ready for them.
The Proteas played against Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia last year. They lost 57-46 against the imposing Jamaican players. Msomi says they will be better prepared this time.
The Proteas will be expected to bring home a medal but it will be tough with the likes of Australia, NZ, England and Jamaica.
The last time they won a silver medal was in 1995 when they finished second to Australia also in England. Msomi is confident they will do well. – Report by Vincent Sitsula
