South Africa Spa Proteas yesterday underscored their status as the continent’s best team after convincingly overcoming Malawi Queens 60-44 in the final of Netball World Cup Qualifying tournament in South Africa.

Despite featuring mostly fringe players since they already qualified for the World Cup, South Africa still managed to hold off full-strength Malawi Queens.

The Queens coach Peace Chawinga Kaluwa threw in her best players led by New Zealand-based shooter Joyce Mvula, goal attacker Jane Chimaliro, wing attacker Thandie Galeta, centre Takondwa Lwazi, wing defender  Grace Mwafulirwa, goal defender Martha Dambo and goalkeeper Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda.

Malawi Queens and South Africa’s Proteas battling it out in the final

The opening minutes of the game saw the pendulum swinging between Malawi Queens and the Spa Proteas, with the two sides tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter.

But the hosts stepped up their play in the second quarter banging in 16 goals while Malawi’s shooter  Mvula missing a lot of chances as it ended 22- 29.

The trend continued in third quarter with the Proteas punishing Malawi as they banged 16 goals again while Malawi only managed nine again to end 31-45.

In the final quarter, Malawi Queens improved, scoring 13 goals, but they still continued playing catch-up while the determined hosts finished strongly, scoring 15 goals.

Chawinga-Kaluwa told SuperSport in post-match: “I think we lost it in second quarter where our shooter missed a lot of chances and South Africa capitalised on that. From then onwards, it was all about height.”

She, however, applauded the players for finishing as runners up.

“The players did everything possible and we qualified for the World Cup. I am proud of them,” Chawinga Kaluwa said.

Her counterpart Dorette Badenhorst said she was excited to win the championship with mostly fringe players.

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