THERE are a number of netballers in the world that have pulled on the international dress for more than one country throughout the career. With netball on hold due to the outbreak of COVID-19 Draft Central has decided to take a look at those players and their international careers and what could have been. Starting off the series is none other than New Zealand shooting sensation Irene Van Dyk.

Prior to becoming a cult hero in the Silver Ferns outfit, Van Dyk was an integral member for the Spar Proteas. She lead the way as captain, with her netball nous on constant display. The talented goaler played 72 caps for South Africa and was a commanding figure under the post allowing her accuracy and high volume of shots do all the talking. Van Dyk debuted for her home nation back in 1994 and immediately burst onto the scene with her long limbs, uncanny precision with ball in hand and sheer brilliance under the post.

But after making the move to New Zealand in 2000, she quickly became a key reason for the Ferns continued success. Her career spanned a whopping 14 years for New Zealand and consistently contributed to become one of the worlds most decorated and renowned shooters. She was the thorn in the Diamonds side for as long as many Australian fans can remember with her strong holds and accuracy under the post causing all sorts of havoc.

Van Dyk was simply unstoppable with her quick footwork, ability to read the play and effortless shooting action. The physical nature of opposition players did not faze her and she was hardly ever out-positioned credit to her netball nous. She often did the unthinkable, reeling in a ball travelling over the baseline and was quite agile given her height. Throughout her time with New Zealand, her partnership with fellow goaler Maria Folau and seasoned centre Laura Langman did a wealth of damage with the trio combining seamlessly to create a wealth of attacking forays.

Although retired now, Van Dyk is still is the most capped player in netball history racking up a whopping 217 games, testament to her high-level endurance, skillset and durability playing at the highest level well into her 40s. She had a highly decorated career for both the Proteas and Ferns, so much so that she appeared in a staggering five World Cups two of which were for South Africa, while also playing in four Commonwealth Games where she tasted her fair share of success, winning in a double over-time thriller in 2010.

Van Dyk quite literally became the face of netball for New Zealand with the 190cm tall goaler owning the goal circle with her long split, deceptive strength and spatial awareness. It is fair to say that South Africa will be ruing the day that Van Dyk left and opted to play for New Zealand instead, with the Spar Proteas missing that deadly accuracy under the post and class across the court.