PIETERMARITZBURG - South Africa were dealt their third successive heavy loss when beaten 23-81 by Australia in the Tri-Nations netball series in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.
The defeat followed 33-73 and 34-88 losses to Australia and the Silver Ferns respectively last week.
A huge score looked in the making as Australia got off to
a flyer, the world champions notching up 10 successive goals before South Africa scored their first.
Australia's speed bamboozled the hosts in the first quarter. Superbly efficient on attack and equally adept with a suffocating defence, the signs were ominous for South Africa when Australia went to the first break 29-5 ahead.
But they managed only 14 and 13 goals respectively in the second and third quarters for leads of 43-10 and 56-19, before rattling on 25 goals during the final quarter.
Meanwhile, former South African representative Corlie Oberholzer has joined the growing list of foreign players looking for places in New Zealand's national league.
Oberholzer has been named in the Northern Force squad of 17 for the Coca-Cola Cup before final trials which will decide the 12-strong team.
The midcourter will marry on Saturday and will arrive in New Zealand on December 6.
A teacher, Oberholzer will work at Mahurangi College, in Warkworth.
"We have got work permits for two years.
"But when we arrive we are looking to apply for permanent residence," she said.
A member of South Africa's team in last year's world championships in Christchurch, Oberholzer has become disenchanted with the politics now dictating netball in South Africa.
Most of the major sports in South Africa now have a Government-determined quota system. For netball, the requirement is four black players a team.
- NZPA
