POOL G will see some exciting games throughout the second stage of the World Cup with three of the top five nations all within the same group. South Africa, Jamaica and England will all face each other throughout the stage while Uganda, Trinidad and Tobago and Scotland round out the rest of the teams in the pool. We take a look at two key games from the pool that could have an influence on the next stage.

JAMAICA v. UGANDA

This will be the last time that the Sunshine Girls will be able to assert themselves on the competition and leave a lasting impression. Unable to collect wins against both England and South Africa, Jamaica will want to make sure that they put out a full four quarter performance against the She Cranes who have shown they have what it takes to mix it with the best.

Jamaica have game changers right across the court with highly athletic defenders and shooting superstars that can turn a game on its head in an instant. They have a plethora of options in the goal circle with Jhaniele Fowler able to dominate under the post with her height, ball control and accuracy to post. But if Fowler is not firing, Romelda Aiken is also a viable option given her experience, rebounding skill and strength under the post to bring the ball down with confidence and skill. Up the other end the Sunshine Girls are spoilt for choice with Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Shamera Sterling and Vangelee Williams all capable of winning ball back. Sterling and Dehaney are both renowned for their aerial capabilities and could pose a real threat for Uganda given their skill to hunt any cross-court ball, as well as their respective closing speed and lean over the shot.

The She Cranes have continued to develop throughout the World Cup gaining some big wins and working hard to remain competitive in tough match-ups. With plenty of inexperienced players across the court it will be up to the likes of Mary Cholock and Peace Proscovia to steer the ship in attack and post a hefty total. Although both shooters play a similar style they have shown that they can work together and may have to revert to this method in attack if they are to worry the Jamaican defence. Stella Oyella has also been influential through the midcourt and in the goal circle for Uganda, highlighting her versatility and skill to make an impact wherever she is across the court.

With their place in the next stage on the line expect the Sunshine Girls to come out with a fire in the belly in hope to progress and move one step closer to that elusive title. Meanwhile, the She Cranes will be wanting to make the most of their opportunities on the world stage. All eyes will turn to the match-ups in the goal circle with Dehaney or Sterling likely to face the likes of Proscovia and Cholock who are both dominant in their own right.

SOUTH AFRICA v. ENGLAND

In arguably one of the most exciting match-ups of the stage South Africa will take on competition favourites England in hope to claim a big scalp. Both sides ooze class, skill and experience making for a highly anticipated game.

The SPAR Proteas are littered with game winning players right across the court with coach Norma Plummer doing a wealth of work to create a dynamic and highly skilled team. In the shooting circle, the likes of Lenize Potgieter and Sigi Burger have both proven to be prolific under the post with their silky movement, strong holds and accuracy all impressive. Potgieter’s unconventional shooting style puts many defenders off, making her hard to stop from just about anywhere in the goal circle. Maryka Holtzhausen also poses an imposing threat with her strong drives and ability to draw the attention of the defender. South Africa are also strong through the midcourt with the likes of Bongi Msomi and Erin Burger impressive through the centre and attacking third. Msomi has showcased her speed, dynamic footwork and vision to feed the ball seamlessly into the shooters, while Burger has plied her trade running hard both ways to provide hands over pressure and be an attacking force. South Africa have arguably the best goal defence in the world with Karla Pretorius in a league of her own. The talented defender has a unique ability to win ball that no one else can, read the play and use her quick footwork to clog up space and force turnovers. Her partnership with Phumza Maweni is electric with the two able to limit the easy access into goal and cut off ball time and time again credit to their athleticism and netball understanding.

England are equally as blessed with genuine guns across the court. Having established themselves as competition front runners the Roses are dynamic, slick and extremely skilful with ball in hand. They have game winners in each third with the likes of Serena Guthrie through the midcourt able to turn the game on its head. Her extreme athleticism and speed makes her an integral member for the Roses, given her ability to win ball back and take game changing intercepts. Up the defensive end the likes of Geva Mentor, Eboni Usoro-Brown and Fran Williams pose an imminent threat credit to their netball nous, though will be missing stalwart defender Layla Guscoth for the remainder of competition to injury. Mentor is all class with her impressive footwork, cleanliness and sheer defensive pressure to force turnovers and mistakes by opposition shooters. In the goal circle the Roses possess plenty of firepower with Jo Harten able to shoot from anywhere in the circle while Rachel Dunn oozes experience and composure.

There will be plenty of excitement and intensity in this game with both sides vying for the number one position in the pool and bragging rights. With potential match-ups between Harten and Maweni along with Guthrie and Burger the game could literally be won in any third.