The NZ Men’s netball team have earned a spot in the FAST5 Netball World Series final following a final quarter default from South Africa in an intense match in Christchurch.
With two players from South Africa suspended leading into the last power play of the match, the game was called off with the visitors unable to field a full team – full points going to the Kiwis and seeing them through to tonight’s final against Australia.
The final score 32-31 in favour of New Zealand.
Captain Eriata Vercoe said he had never seen a match end in such fashion, but it was something they had planned for in their training.
“It was an exciting match – I haven’t been a part in something like that before,” he said. “We have to train for stuff like this that we get into. In the rule book it does say that you can’t finish with three players on the court, but it was such a shame to finish like that because it was such a close and exciting game.”
Vercoe said they were expecting a tough encounter with South Africa and they delivered with spectacular aerial play and pace.
“It’s such a shame for South Africa – I was hoping to see a bit more of them even if it for one more minute out there.
“We knew they were going to come back hard after watching their first game. Their flare and athleticism is so amazing to watch and it’s such a treat for all fans of netball as well.”
Lifted by a spirited dance heading into the match, South Africa was first to score and were hungry for ball showcasing their aerial skills.
The New Zealand men held a slender lead for much of the first spell but a six-point play from Shane Labuschagne lifted South Africa to a 9-6 lead at quarter time.
Some big defensive plays from the hosts levelled the scores before the calm head of Thomson Matuku pushed the Kiwis ahead with four crucial points, leading 17-13 at halftime.
Determined to make the men’s final, South Africa were far from done and threw themselves into the match with two six-points plays to head into the deciding quarter with a 29-26 buffer.
Defensive pressure through the midcourt gave New Zealand the opportunity to close the gap and were trailing by just one goal when play was called off following the suspension for a second South African player.
The men’s final between the NZ Men’s team and the Australian Men will be played at 7.20pm