2018 Diamond Challenge

{{Short description|International netball series hosted by South Africa}}

{{Infobox international netball competition

| title = Diamond Challenge

| year = 2018

| image =

| image_size =

| dates = 27 November–1 December 2018

| host_country = South Africa

| city = Seshego, Polokwane

| venues = Ngoako Ramathlodi Sports Complex

| TV = SuperSport (South Africa)

| winners = South Africa

| second = Zambia

| third = Zimbabwe

| num_teams = 6

| scoring_leader =

| prev_season = 2016

| next_season = 2021

}}

The 2018 Diamond Challenge was the fifth Diamond Challenge netball series. It featured South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and a Netball South Africa President's XII. The series was played in late November and early December 2018 at Seshego's Ngoako Ramathlodi Sports Complex.{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/8892-2/|title=South African Netball sides named ahead of Diamond Challenge|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706013359/https://netball-sa.co.za/8892-2/|archive-date=6 July 2022|access-date=20 October 2024|date=28 November 2018}} With a team coached by Norma Plummer and captained by Bongiwe Msomi, South Africa won the series. South Africa finished the series undefeated, winning all five matches, and Msomi was named the Player of the Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.teamsa.co.za/proteas-wrap-up-diamond-challenge-title-defence/|title=Proteas wrap up Diamond Challenge title defence|publisher=www.teamsa.co.za|access-date=2 July 2024|date=1 December 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/proteas-wrap-up-diamond-challenge-title-defence/|title=Proteas wrap up Diamond Challenge Title Defence|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407120918/https://netball-sa.co.za/proteas-wrap-up-diamond-challenge-title-defence/|archive-date=7 April 2020|access-date=21 August 2024|date=1 December 2018}} The series was broadcast live on SuperSport in South Africa.

Head coaches and captains

class="wikitable collapsible" ! Team ! Head coach ! Captain
{{nb\|South Africa}}	Norma Plummer	Bongiwe Msomi
{{nb\|Botswana}}		Tumisang Bagidi{{cite web\|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/proteas-made-to-work-for-zambia-win/\|title=Proteas made to work for Zambia win\|publisher=netball-sa.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614031412/https://netball-sa.co.za/proteas-made-to-work-for-zambia-win/\|archive-date=14 June 2021\|access-date=20 October 2024\|date=1 December 2018}}
{{nb\|Namibia}}
{{nb\|Zambia}}		Elizabeth Bwalya{{cite web\|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/two-out-of-two-for-sa-presidents-xii-at-diamond-challenge/\|title=Two out of two for SA President's XII at Diamond Challenge\|publisher=netball-sa.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706013146/https://netball-sa.co.za/two-out-of-two-for-sa-presidents-xii-at-diamond-challenge/\|archive-date=6 July 2022\|access-date=20 October 2024\|date=28 November 2018}}
{{nb\|Zimbabwe}}	Lloyd Makunde{{cite web\|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/successful-start-for-sa-netball-sides-at-diamond-challenge/\|title=Successful start for SA Netball sides at Diamond Challenge\|publisher=netball-sa.co.za\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706002218/https://netball-sa.co.za/successful-start-for-sa-netball-sides-at-diamond-challenge/\|archive-date=6 July 2022\|access-date=20 October 2024\|date=28 November 2018}}
{{flagicon\|South Africa}} President's XII	Jenny van Dyk	Jessica Khomo

South Africa squad

{{INF roster header|team=South Africa

| color1 = #FFB81C; | bg1 = #007749; | color2 = #FFB81C; | bg2 = #007749;}}

{{INF roster player|name=Erin Burger|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1987|02|10}}|pos=C, WA, WD|height=1.76|club=Gauteng Jaguars|caps=108}}

{{INF roster player|name=Sigrid Burger|pos=GA, GS|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1996|02|23}}|height=1.90|club=Surrey Storm}}

{{INF roster player |name=Khanyisa Chawane|pos=WD,C,WA|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1996|01|14}}|height=1.67|club= }}

{{INF roster player|name=Rome Dreyer|pos=C|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1994|04|28}}|height=1.70|club= }}

{{INF roster player|name=Maryka Holtzhausen|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1987|06|02}}|pos=GA, WA|height=1.81|club=Severn Stars|capt=yes|caps=99}}

{{INF roster player|name=Phumza Maweni|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1984|09|04}}|pos=GK, GD|height=1.87|club=Severn Stars}}

{{INF roster player|name=Bongiwe Msomi|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1988|01|19}}|pos=WA, C|height=1.66|club=Surrey Storm}}

{{INF roster player |name=Karla Pretorius|pos=GD,WD|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1990|03|12}}|height=1.81|club=Sunshine Coast Lightning|vc=yes}}

{{INF roster player|name=Lenize Potgieter|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1994|05|02}}|pos=GS, GA|height=1.88|club=Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic|caps=49}}

{{INF roster player|name=Renske Stoltz|pos=GA, GS|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1994|04|19}}|height=1.69|club=Wasps Netball }}

{{INF roster player|name=Shadine van der Merwe|pos=GD, WD, GK|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1992|11|25}}|height=1.79|club=Surrey Storm}}

{{INF roster player|name=Zanele Vimbela|pos=GD, GK|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2018|11|27|1989|04|28}}|height=1.80|club=Team Bath}}

{{INF roster footer

| head_coach = Norma Plummer

| asst_coach =

| roster_url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220706013359/https://netball-sa.co.za/8892-2/

| updated=22 October 2024

| url_team= https://web.archive.org/web/20220706013359/https://netball-sa.co.za/8892-2/

}}

Milestones

On 27 November 2018, Maryka Holtzhausen made her 100th senior appearance for South Africa against Namibia.{{cite web|url=https://www.netballscoop.com/forums/topic/2018-diamond-challenge-in-south-africa-nov-27-dec-1/|title=2018 Diamond Challenge in South Africa (Nov 27-Dec 1) (page 1)|publisher=www.netballscoop.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221182922/https://www.netballscoop.com/forums/topic/2018-diamond-challenge-in-south-africa-nov-27-dec-1/|archive-date=21 December 2018|access-date=21 October 2024|date=2 December 2018}}
On 27 November 2018, Lenize Potgieter made her 50th senior appearance for South Africa against Namibia.{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/winning-start-for-sa-netball-teams/|title=Winning start for SA netball teams|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|access-date=23 October 2024|date=27 November 2018}}

Matches

=Round 1=

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 27 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|South Africa}}

| score = 78–28

| team2 = {{nb|Namibia}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

|venue =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 27 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|Zimbabwe}}

| score = 43–30

| team2 = {{nb|Botswana}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| venue =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 27 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{flagicon|South Africa}} President's XII

| score = 48–46

| team2 = {{nb|Zambia}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| venue =

}}

=Round 2=

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 28 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|Zambia}}

| score = 57–51

| team2 = {{nb|Zimbabwe}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 28 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{flagicon|South Africa}} President's XII

| score = 61–31

| team2 = {{nb|Namibia}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| venue =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 28 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|South Africa}}

| score = 83–16

| team2 = {{nb|Botswana}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

{{small|Sources:{{cite web|url=https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/sa-sides-take-control-of-diamond-challenge/|title=SA sides take control of Diamond Challenge|publisher=www.citizen.co.za|access-date=20 October 2024|date=29 November 2018}}}}

=Round 3=

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 29 November 2018

| time = 15:00

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|South Africa}}

| score = 62–35

| team2 = {{flagicon|South Africa}} President's XII

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 29 November 2018

| time = 17.00

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|Zambia}}

| score = 58–42

| team2 = {{nb|Botswana}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 29 November 2018

| time = 19.00

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|Zimbabwe}}

| score = 62–43

| team2 = {{nb|Namibia}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| venue =

}}

{{small|Sources:{{cite web|url=https://netball-sa.co.za/sa-notch-up-third-diamond-challenge-win/|title=SA notch up third Diamond Challenge win|publisher=netball-sa.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614035006/https://netball-sa.co.za/sa-notch-up-third-diamond-challenge-win/|archive-date=14 June 2021|access-date=20 October 2024|date=29 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.namibian.com.na/namibia-finish-last-at-diamond-challenge/|title=Namibia finish last at Diamond Challenge|publisher=www.namibian.com|access-date=20 October 2024|date=3 December 2018}}}}

=Round 4=

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 30 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|Botswana}}

| score = 55–48

| team2 = {{nb|Namibia}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| venue =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 30 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{flagicon|South Africa}} President's XII

| score = 58–34

| team2 = {{nb|Zimbabwe}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 30 November 2018

| time =

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|South Africa}}

| score = 57–36

| team2 = {{nb|Zambia}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

=Round 5=

The Round 5 matches were all be re-scheduled to avoid a clash with the 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final between South Africa and Nigeria.

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 1 December 2018

| time = 12:00

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{flagicon|South Africa}} President's XII

| score = 58–35

| team2 = {{nb|Botswana}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 1 December 2018

| time = 14:00

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|Zambia}}

| score = 68–36

| team2 = {{nb|Namibia}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| venue =

}}

{{netballbox collapsible

| date = 1 December 2018

| time = 16:00

| stats =

| report =

| team1 = {{nb|South Africa}}

| score = 73–44

| team2 = {{nb|Zimbabwe}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

}}

{{small|Sources:{{cite web|url=https://www.netballscoop.com/forums/topic/2018-diamond-challenge-in-south-africa-nov-27-dec-1/page/2/|title=2018 Diamond Challenge in South Africa (Nov 27-Dec 1) (page 2)|publisher=www.netballscoop.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221183016/https://www.netballscoop.com/forums/topic/2018-diamond-challenge-in-south-africa-nov-27-dec-1/page/2/|archive-date=21 December 2018|access-date=21 October 2024|date=2 December 2018}}}}

Final table

width="25" \| {{Abbr\|Pos\|Position}} ! width="200"\| {{Abbr\|Team\|Team}} ! width="25" \| {{Abbr\|P\|Games played}} ! width="25" \| {{Abbr\|W\|Wins}} ! width="25" \| {{Abbr\|L\|Losses}} ! width="25" \| {{Abbr\|D\|Draws}} ! width="30" \| {{Abbr\|GF\|Goals For (Total goals scored)}} ! width="30" \| {{Abbr\|GA\|Goals Against (Total goals conceded)}} ! width="30" \| {{Abbr\|GD\|Goal Difference (GF−GA)}} ! width="30" \| {{Abbr\|Pts\|Total points}}
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
style="background:#e6efff" \| 1 \| style="text-align:left" \|{{nb\|South Africa}}	5	5	0	0	353	119	234	10
style="background:#fff6e6" \| 2 \| style="text-align:left" \|{{flagicon\|South Africa}} President's XII {{ref\|1\|(Note 1)}}	5	4	1	0	260	208	52	8
style="background:#e6efff" \| 3 \| style="text-align:left" \|{{nb\|Zambia}}	5	3	2	0	265	234	31	6
style="background:#fff6e6" \| 4 \| style="text-align:left" \|{{nb\|Zimbabwe}}	5	2	3	0	234	261	–27	4
style="background:#e6efff" \| 5 \| style="text-align:left" \|{{nb\|Botswana}}	5	1	4	0	178	290	–112	2
style="background:#fff6e6" \| 6 \| style="text-align:left" \|{{nb\|Namibia}}	5	0	5	0	186	324	–138	0

;Notes

{{note|1|1}} Some sources credit Zambia with second place.

Award winners

style="background:white;" \| Award ! style="background:white;" \| Winner ! style="background:white;" \| Team
class="wikitable collapsible"
Player of the Tournament	Bongiwe Msomi	{{nb\|South Africa}}
Best Shooter	Diana Banda	{{nb\|Zambia}}
Best Mid Court	Rome Dreyer	{{nb\|South Africa}}
Best Defender	Phumza Maweni	{{nb\|South Africa}}

References

2018

Category:2018 in netball

Category:2018 in South African netball

Category:2018 in Botswana sport

Category:2018 in Namibian sport

Category:2018 in Zambian sport

Category:2018 in Zimbabwean sport

Category:Botswana national netball team series

Category:Namibia national netball team series

Category:Zimbabwe national netball team series

Category:November 2018 sports events in Africa

Category:December 2018 sports events in Africa

Category:Zambia national netball team series