Proteas target breakthrough as they prepare for Diamonds

THE Spar Proteas will be hoping to apply the lessons from a hard-fought ‘Test series in New Zealand, where they came agonisingly close to a win in the final match, to an equally challenging three-Test series against world No 1 Australia.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

The national netball team showed great fight against the Silver Ferns in the third and final Test of the Taini Jamison Trophy series in Invercargill on Sunday, before the hosts snatched a 57-56 victory in the dying seconds to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

For the first time in 40 meetings between the two nations, the Proteas led the Silver Ferns in two quarters, thanks to their intensity, speed and all-round hustle. But errors in judgement and execution late in the match proved costly, as they struggled to sustain the earlier tempo.

Proteas assistant coach Zanele Mdodana said she was proud of her troops despite Sunday's “bittersweet loss”.