South Africa managed a thrilling victory over Uganda in their final match of the second round at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town. However, despite their win, they narrowly missed out on securing a spot in the semi-finals.
Facing a daunting challenge, South Africa needed to defeat Uganda by a margin of 64 points to have a chance at progressing to the last four. Uganda, known for their rapid rise in global netball, proved to be formidable opponents.
Boosted by their fans’ unwavering support and fueled by the draw against defending champions New Zealand in the previous match, the Proteas gave it their all from the beginning. Their ambitious goal of a 64-point victory, however, remained just out of reach.
At the end of the first quarter, South Africa held a 16-11 lead, extending it to 33-19 by halftime. While their 14-point advantage was commendable, they needed to further widen the gap by 50 points in the second half.
The hosts faltered in the third quarter as Uganda closed in on their lead, reducing the deficit to just five points (41-36) with 15 minutes remaining. Despite Uganda’s relentless efforts in the final quarter, South Africa managed to hold on for a narrow victory.
Although they defeated their African rivals, South Africa finished in third place in Group G, tied on points with New Zealand but behind them on goal difference. As a result, the Proteas were relegated to the lower position playoffs.
In the semi-finals, New Zealand will face England, while Jamaica will take on 11-time champions Australia for a chance at securing a spot in the final this weekend.
While South Africa’s journey in the Netball World Cup ended sooner than they hoped, their performance against Uganda showcased their determination and resilience on the court.
