Proteas head coach Jenny van Dyk is confident that they can secure a first Commonwealth Gasmes podium finish at the showpiece in Glasgow that started on Thursday.
Proteas netball head coach Jenny van Dyk believes a demanding 12-month build-up has left South Africa well-equipped to challenge for a place in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals when the competition gets under way in Glasgow on Thursday.
The Proteas arrived in Scotland following an encouraging preparation phase that featured a Test series victory over England, gruelling tours to New Zealand and Australia, an Africa Netball Cup triumph, and a three-match warm-up series against Uganda.
Rather than simply chasing short-term results, Van Dyk explained that every tour over the past year formed part of a deliberate blueprint to expose her squad to diverse playing styles and high-pressure environments.
"The players are in a good spot and ready for the challenge ahead," Van Dyk said on the eve of their departure. "The three matches against Uganda gave us quite a lot. They showed us the different combinations we have available and gave the players an opportunity to find each other again."
