New Zealand have put aside their coach controversy to claim a convincing 26-goal win over South Africa in Auckland on Sunday.
Only days after Dame Noeline Taurua was stood down as coach of the Silver Ferns, the Kiwis proved too strong for the Proteas from the opening whistle in the 77-51 result – their biggest winning margin over South Africa since 2017.
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“Whatever is going on in the background, we needed to show up tonight,” captain Karin Burger said post-match.
“We’re still representing the black dress and the country.
“So it was no excuses.”
Despite Taurua’s exit delaying the final squad announcement for this Taini Jamison Trophy, the Ferns showed no rust – particularly in defence where Kelly Jackson and Burger were at their menacing best.
Jackson was so dominant, she forced South African star Rolene Streukter to the bench after just one quarter – nailing a number of rejects in her four gains for the opening term alone.
While Jackson’s performance is sure to excite Queensland Firebirds fans – given Jackson has committed to play in Super Netball next season, interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie was also able to hand goal keeper Catherine Hall a New Zealand debut in the final term.
Burger meantime racked up five gains in her first Test as captain in the absence of Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
McCausland-Durie said she was “really proud” of the victory, in her first match since standing in place of Taurua.
“They wanted to prove that they can play … they’ve been under pressure,” she said.
“Our big one was we wanted to push the score out early.”
And that’s exactly what the Ferns did, opening up a 20-8 lead that the Proteas never recovered, as they went on to lose every quarter.
The Ferns got all 12 players out on court in the First Test in promising signs for what’s to come ahead of New Zealand’s Constellation Cup against Australia in the coming weeks.
Martina Salmon was able to come on in goal attack, after she was clearly emotional for the anthem pre-match.
“It definitely hits home – I had my parents here in the crowd here with me … it didn’t hit me until I started singing the anthem. Some tears came out,” she admitted.
While it was jubilation for the Ferns, the match was a disastrous start for South Africa who were blown away in that opening term.
Despite a better second half, where they lost by only seven goals, there’s plenty for the side to work on for the remaining two Tests before they take on Australia.
“We didn’t know what to expect … I think we know what to expect now and what to work on,” defender Nicola Smith said.
“It was quite fast … With this loud crowd it’s not easy to hear each other on the court.”
Kiwi star Grace Nweke finished the best of the attackers with 58 goals.
The second Test begins on Wednesday.
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