Netball: Singapore swept aside by dominant South Africa at World Cup

Singapore goal shooter Charmaine Soh attempts a shot in their preliminary round match against Sri Lanka. PHOTO: NARELLE SPANGHER

SINGAPORE - South Africa's netball team put up a defensive masterclass to tame Singapore's attack as the world No. 5 collected a dominant 69-21 victory on Saturday for their first win of the Netball World Cup.

Ranked 15th, the Republic could not cope with the physical and fast-paced game employed by the South Africans defenders, who limited their opponents to just eight points in the second half.

The previous encounter between both sides, at the 2011 World Cup hosted in Singapore, was equally one-sided, as South Africa ran out 70-33 victors then.

Chances were at a premium for Singapore at Sydney's Netball Central. Goal shooter Charmaine Soh and goal attack Chen Huifen managed only 24 attempts between them, converting 15, as they were repeatedly hounded and pressed by the South Africans.

At the other end, goal shooter Lenize Potgieter made 39 of her 45 shots while compatriot Elsje du Plessis connected with 19 of her 27 attempts.

South Africa, who fell 51-58 to world No. 6 Malawi on Friday, will next face Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Singapore's head coach Ruth Aitken will need to lift her players spirits quickly though as their next assignment is against Malawi on Sunday in their final Pool C game.

jonwong@sph.com.sg

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