JUST over a week ago South Africa took on Malawi in the SPAR Challenge Series which saw the two nations play out three games, all of which South African won. It was a convincing performance from the home side which not only managed a clean sweep but also notched up a record-breaking win against the Queens thanks to a 41-goal victory. There were a number of players that stepped up to the plate throughout the series but none more so than Player of the Tournament, Shadine van der Merwe with the talented defender starring each time she stepped out on court.

“Being named player of the tournament is always such a blessing but I know I would never be able to do it without my teammates,” van der Merwe said. “But I really worked hard during October to be in good form. At first I wasn’t as match fit at trials but really gained a lot during the camp and at the end I just went in every game with full confidence and reminded myself just to enjoy.”

Coming off a full but condensed season in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, van der Merwe did not skip a beat displaying her impressive defensive tendencies and versatility swinging into goal defence. The transition from SSN to international was not too steep given the competition is renowned for its high intensity, but there is no denying that international netball is that extra cut above.

“Well I always say an SSN match always feels like an international game, but I was really happy to be back with my Spar Protea girls and could feel everyone was so eager to play some netball. But any international game just has that extra touch.”

Without the ever-reliable Karla Pretorius, the 28-year-old found herself in the goal circle as opposed to wing defence for majority of the tournament however that did not phase the talented netballer who proved she was more than capable of holding down the goal defence position.

“Growing up I was always a centre but from the age of 16 I moved to goal defence and I just love playing that position. I knew during this test series with Karla not being available due to an injury I had big shoes to fill, but I love goal defence but when we play international I am too short then I prefer wing defence.”

Goal keeper, Phumza Maweni joined van der Merwe inside the defensive goal circle with the two combining well to limit the ease with which the Queens could score and enter the circle.

“Maweni is one of the best defenders in the world and myself and Maweni really do get along very well. So during camp I really focused on what she wants so I can meet her strengths and that in the end brought my strengths to the court too,” she said.

Throughout the tournament the Proteas secured big wins totalling to 40-goal, 33-goal and 41-goal victories – the latter the record breaking margin – showcasing just how damaging the African nation can be with their accuracy to post and defensive nous.

“It’s amazing and gives us as South Africans so much hope for the future of netball and staying number one in Africa is very important to us,” van der Merwe said.

With plenty of question marks surrounding the viability of hosting an international tournament given the current COVID-19 pandemic, van der Merwe highlighted the logistics behind collating all of the players and just how important it was to her to be able to pull on the SPAR Proteas uniform.

“I think we did very well during our recent test series against Malawi, as we have about seven players playing abroad and we have a domestic league taking place in South Africa,” she said. “Representing South Africa is always a privilege and we won all three test series with more than a 30 (goal) margin so it’s a big boost for us.”

The series sweep is a testament to the development and ever-improving connections across the court for South Africa with the players able to go about their business at a high level and look to the bench when need be and inject some fresh legs. Four players – Kamogelo Maseko, Tshina Mdau, Nicola Smith and Sikholiwe Mdletshe – made their debut throughout the SPAR Challenge further highlighting the impressive depth the nation is building an area van der Merwe touted as “exciting”.

“It’s exciting to see the depth that we have in our team and in the country as we are building into the future. I feel in the defensive end we (have) got some really strong new blood and that makes it very exciting.”