Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Netball South Africa has announced a 12-member squad for the tri-nations series against Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in Kingston.

Outstanding performances against Barbados last week have seen the inclusion in the touring squad of players such as Mary Ngwenya, Claudia Basson and Tsakane Mbewe. The squad was announced in Pretoria yesterday.

This gives coach Carin Strauss the option of mixing and matching in the circle.

Gauteng North goal defence Simone van Heerden, who was a late inclusion in the squad, also grabbed her chance and played herself into the touring squad.

Liezel Wium - the most experienced member of the South African squad, with more than 40 international caps and two years of professional netball in New Zealand - is back as captain, and Precious Mthembu is again the vice captain.

The team selected for the tour is very young, though many of the players have international experience at Under-21 level.

"Jamaica will be our toughest competition, as they are ranked fourth in the world, and have a shooter who is 1,94m tall," Strauss said.

South African team: Zukelwa Cwaba, Precious Mthembu (vice captain), Tsakane Mbewe, Erin Burger, Claudia Basson, Liezel Wium (captain), Zanele Mdodane, Amanda Mynhardt, Mary Ngwenya, Nontle Gwavu, Simone van Heerden and Refiloe Mochaka.