Talking points: South Africa Series

By Stephanie Smarrelli

The reigning world champions flexed their might and depth throughout the South Africa Series. 
 
There were plenty of talking points to take from the series with the Origin Diamonds winning 3-0.  

 
DEBUTANTS STEAL THE SHOW  
With a Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup on the horizon it was now or never for head coach Stacey Marinkovich to throw some new Diamonds into the mix. 

And she did just that, welcoming Alice Teague-Neeld, Hannah Mundy, Lucy Austin and Ash Ervin to the green and gold. 

Teague-Neeld was first to debut in match one of the series, the experienced attacker slotting in like she’s been there for years. 

The 29-year-old impressed each time she took to the court and was ultimately named as the player of the series. 

Across the three matches she tallied 60 feeds and 41 goal assists. 

Then came Hannah Mundy, the first of three debutants in game three. 

Mundy made history as she stepped onto the court becoming the first daughter of a Diamond to also represent her country. 

Mundy’s mother Shelley O’Donnell [Diamond 107] watched on from the crowd as Hannah became Diamond 195. 

With her Vixens teammates on the court alongside her Mundy didn’t miss a beat in her 25 minutes of court time.  

Then Lucy Austin and Ash Ervin entered the fray. 

It was a remarkable achievement for Austin who only played 26 minutes of Suncorp Super Netball in 2025. 
 
Many questioned her inclusion in the squad but in front of a home crowd she showed why she was given her opportunity. 
 
Scoring 18 goals at 81 per cent accuracy she was solid in attack but really came alive alongside close friend Georgie Horjus who was prolific in goal attack. 

Lastly, Ash Ervin. 

Eight gains, four deflections, four rebounds and one intercept. 

The 22-year-old worked herself into the match and her impact was felt. 

She put pressure onto the South African goalers and made the most of their mistakes to turn over the ball. 

DIAMONDS' DEPTH 
The South Africa Series highlighted how much talent there is in the Aussie squad. 

The midcourt is stacked from Diamonds captain Liz Watson to debutants Mundy and Teague-Neeld. 

Jamie-Lee Price dominated the court in wing defence, taking out the player of the match accolade in game three. 

Whether she was shutting down her player or reading the play to take a crucial intercept she was integral to the side throughout the series.  

Then there’s Kate Moloney who also made the most of her time out on court, her leadership keeping the team running smoothly. 

Plus, Horjus and Kiera Austin both have wing attack up their sleeves if they’re not working their magic in the goal circle. 

Speaking of the goal circle. Horjus looked right at home, only missing one goal throughout the series with her speed and accuracy a lethal combination. 

Sophie Garbin and Cara Koenen stood tall throughout the series and Lucy Austin made her mark on debut.  

Then in defence Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston proved their worth time and time again while Matilda Garrett and Sarah Klau also rose to the occasion. 

And workhorses Sunday Aryang, Amy Parmenter and Sophie Dwyer are still yet to take the court for the Diamonds in 2025. 

There’s no doubt when it comes to choosing the side for next year’s Commonwealth Games and the 2027 Netball World Cup, the Diamonds will have plenty of options on the table. 
 

SOUTH AFRICA’S BUILDING 

Don’t let the final scorelines fool you, this South Africa outfit are slowly chipping away. 

They’re working on their craft and discovering their best combinations out on the court. 

Throughout the series they showed patches of brilliance, making the most of their opportunities to halt the Diamonds but they ran out of steam. 

Elmeré van der Berg was impressive in the goal circle with 80 goals at 87 per cent accuracy.  

 
Alongside her Kamogelo Maseko and Rolene Streuker both proved they’ve got what it takes to be the go-to option in goal attack. 

As South Africa’s most experienced player, Khanyisa Chawane was a strong leader in the midcourt combining smoothly with Tarle Mathe. 

The duo finding a path to the goal circle despite the immense pressure they were put under from the Diamonds. 

Sanmarie Visser and Nicola Smith were dominant in defence, combining for 17 intercepts throughout the series.  

There’s been a lot of changes in the South Africa side since the 2023 Netball World Cup and with more test matches under their belt ahead of 2027 it would be foolish to underestimate them. 

They’re building and while they only may have gotten as close as 11 goals to the Aussies over the last couple of weeks, it’s only a matter of time before they nab a win.