Wales face a major netball challenge when they take on powerful South Africa over two matches at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay.
The visitors are ranked number five in the World and are preparing for the World Cup in Liverpool later this month.
Wales face South Africa on Thursday and Friday in a seven-day Summer Test Series in Cardiff. There are nine plays in total with the first six played at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay followed by three at the Sport Wales National Centre.
Trinidad and Tobago, who include Celtic Dragons shooter Kalifa McCollin, Northern Ireland, Malawi, and Grenada are other teams competing in South Wales during the week-long series.
Wales coach Julie Hoornweg has selected a group which features a mixture of experience and youth, with three Vitality Netball Superleague franchises represented in the group – Celtic Dragons, Severn Stars and Team Bath.
Dragons have seven players in the team, while Leila Thomas (Bath) and Georgia Rowe (Severn Stars) represent their clubs.
There are eight uncapped players in the squad, alongside familiar faces of Sara Bell, Suzy Drane, Beth Dyke, Kyra Jones, Nia Jones, Eleanor Roberts, Georgia Rowe and Leila Thomas.
Clare Jones (Hucclecote Netball Club) was originally selected for the squad, but had to withdraw because of a hand injury.
Rachel Bayley, Welsh Netball’s head of performance said: “This is a really exciting new squad with a big challenge ahead.
“We are pleased to have been able to select a range of players from both the Superleague and from some of Wales’ leading clubs. The 2022 Commonwealth Games are on the horizon and these internationals will see the beginning of the journey towards qualification.”
South Africa are first visitors to Cardiff Bay, taking on Wales on Thursday and Friday.
Head coach Norma Plummer is preparing for her fifth World Championships, having played for Australia when they won the title in Auckland (1975) and coaches with her national team in Auckland (2007), Singapore (2011) and Sunday (2015).
Plummer, aged 74, now brings SA to Wales. Their team, included 6ft 2ins goal-attack Lenize Potgieter, who was encouraged to play at school because of her height.
Bongi Msomi, SA’s captain, was roped into a first netball match as a substitute for her local team when they were a player short. Thirteen years later, Msomi is captain of the Proteas and has represented South Africa at wing-attack in two World Cups – 2011 and 2015.
“Netball has become a huge part of the woman I am today,” says Msomi. “It is an honour to play at a World Cup and represent your country.”
Netball was one of the first sports Karla Pretorius was introduced to when she began school and her passion for the sport has lasted over two decades.
The goal-defence player, who has just completed her masters degree in dietetics, made her World Cup debut in Sydney four years ago and also plays in the Australian domestic league for Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Cecilkia Molokwane, South Africa netball president, says: “The majority of our team have been together for more than four years, which is rare.
Almost game time again! 💃 Looking forward to our first of two matches against @WelshNetball 🏴 in the beautiful Cardiff this Thursday & Friday before we head to Liverpool for the BIG ONE. 🏆 #SPARProteas #WeAreAllIn
📹 @theanalyst_guru pic.twitter.com/LvF3I6Jsj7— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) July 3, 2019
“There is confidence within the group that we can bring back a medal.”
S4C will be broadcasting two of Welsh senior teams matches live during the Summer Test Series in Cardiff. It will be the first time live netball has ever been shown on the Welsh channel.
Welsh matches against Malawi plus Trinidad and Tobago will be shown live.
Lauren Jenkins will lead the S4C presentation team with courtside guest Cerys Bowen providing analysis. Gareth Roberts and Sarah Roberts will provide Welsh language commentary, while English language commentary will be available via the red button service.
Wales: Cathy Bastian (Dinas, Sara Bell (Central), Catrin Bowen (Cowbridge), Betsy Creak (Bristol Romans), Brooke Collett (Ystrad Mynach), Suzy Drane (Celtic Dragons), Bethan Dyke (Celtic Dragons), Kyra Jones (Celtic Dragons), Nia Jones (Celtic Dragons), Lydia Hitchings (Celtic Dragons), Lucy Howells), (Celtic Dragons), Eleanor Roberts (Celtic Dragons), Georgia Rowe (Severn Stars), Leila Thomas (Team Bath), Chantelle Walker Jones (Central).
Summer netball test series in Cardiff
July
Thursday 4 Wales v South Africa (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 7.30pm)
Friday 5 Wales v South Africa (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 8.30pm)
Saturday 6 Northern Ireland v Trinidad and Tobago (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 3pm)
Saturday 6 Wales v Malawi (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 5pm – being broadcast live on S4C)
Sunday 7 Malawi v Northern Ireland (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 3pm)
Sunday 7 Wales v Trinidad and Tobago (Viola Arena, Cardiff Bay, 5pm (being broadcast live on S4C)
Monday 8 Malawi v Trinidad and Tobago (Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff, TBC)
Tuesday 9 Wales v Grenada (Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff, 7.30pm)
Wednesday 10 Wales v Grenada (Sport Wales National Centre, Cardiff, 7.30pm)
CURRENT WORLD RANKINGS – TOP 20 ONLY
Based on matches up to 30th June 2019
| RANKING | FLAG | TEAM | PLAYED | WEIGHTED | POINTS | RATING |
| 1 | Australia | 37 | 24 | 5050 | 210 | |
| 2 | Jamaica | 25 | 15 | 2648 | 177 | |
| 3 | England | 44 | 28 | 4796 | 171 | |
| 4 | New Zealand | 49 | 30 | 5118 | 171 | |
| 5 | South Africa | 33 | 22 | 3136 | 143 | |
| 6 | Uganda | 27 | 18 | 2241 | 125 | |
| 7 | Scotland | 17 | 9 | 1045 | 116 | |
| 8 | Northern Ireland | 20 | 10 | 1157 | 116 | |
| 9 | Malawi | 26 | 16 | 1782 | 111 | |
| 10 | Trinidad & Tobago | 12 | 11 | 1131 | 103 | |
| 11 | Barbados | 26 | 17 | 1701 | 100 | |
| 12 | Wales | 16 | 8 | 712 | 89 | |
| 13 | Zimbabwe | 28 | 19 | 1587 | 84 | |
| 14 | Samoa | 8 | 4 | 334 | 84 | |
| 15 | Zambia | 30 | 20 | 1609 | 80 | |
| 16 | Cook Islands | 10 | 5 | 397 | 79 | |
| 17 | Fiji | 23 | 13 | 1017 | 78 | |
| 18 | Sri Lanka | 10 | 9 | 604 | 67 | |
| 19 | Papua New Guinea | 12 | 6 | 364 | 61 | |
| 20 | Grenada | 22 | 18 | 973 | 54 |