Origin Diamonds vs Proteas: The players to watch

By Stephanie Smarrelli 
 
Coming straight off a flight from New Zealand, the Origin Australian Diamonds will now turn their attention to South Africa. 

The Netball World Cup champions will host the Proteas across a three-match series in Cairns and Hobart. 

While both squads boast some of the world’s best, there are a few players in particular who are destined to be gamechangers. 

Here are the players to keep your eye on throughout the series: 
 

SPAR PROTEAS 

Jeanté Strydom – Defender 

Part of the next generation of South African stars coming through, Strydom was a ball thief throughout the 2023 Netball World Cup. 

Making her debut at the tournament, the 26-year-old looked right at home among the SPAR Proteas’ line up. Throughout the World Cup she tallied the most intercepts for the side with 15 throughout the tournament.  

Strydom has the ability to switch between the goal defence and wing defence roles and recently was signed to play for New Zealand’s Southern Steel in 2024.  

With the Origin Diamonds team not having come up against South Africa at this year’s World Cup she’s an unknown for most of the side heading into this series. The only time she has faced the Australians was during the FAST5 Netball World Series. 
 
Bongiwe Msomi – Midcourter 
 
One of South Africa’s best midcourters Msomi will be a looming threat to the Origin Diamonds when they meet in Cairns and Hobart this month. 

Fresh off a strong 92-feed performance at her fourth Netball World Cup, Msomi’s connection into the circle will be key for the SPAR Proteas. 

The Proteas captain was a standout when the Origin Diamonds last met, collecting 24 feeds, one gain and one intercept at this year’s Quad Series. 

Nicholé Taljaard - Shooter 

Twenty-six-year-old Nicholé Taljaard’s shooting craft has been going from strength to strength. 

Taljaard’s ability to feed the ball with precision enables her to not only work her magic in the shooting circle but also outside of it. 

During this year’s Netball World Cup, she delivered 101 goals, 84 feeds and six intercepts. 

Taljaard last came up against Australia at this year’s Quad Series, she shot nine goals at 69 per cent accuracy with Sunday Aryang and Tara Hinchliffe applying pressure.  

 
ORIGIN DIAMONDS

Jamie-Lee Price - Midcourter 

Midcourter Jamie-Lee Price has solidified her place in the Origin Diamonds squad in recent years. 

One of Price's strengths is her ability to quickly flip from attack to defence to create opportunities for the side. 

Price was an asset to the Origin Diamonds during this year's Netball World Cup with 66 goal assists, 72 feeds and 10 intercepts. 

Last time Price lined up against South Africa was during this year's Quad Series tallying up 12 feeds and eight goal assists in the half she played. 

Sophie Garbin – Shooter  
 
Origin Diamond Sophie Garbin has silenced doubters and made her presence known in the shooting circle this year. 

Garbin stood tall at the biggest event on the netball calendar slotting 188 goals during this year's Netball World Cup. 

Garbin's movement in the goal circle with the ability to play both as a strong holding shooter and more mobile shooter provides the Origin Diamonds goal circle with depth.  

Matilda Garrett – Defender 

Matilda Garrett has been elevated into the Origin Diamonds squad for the first time. 

If she steps onto the court against South Africa, she'll make her national debut. 

The defender won a premiership with the Adelaide Thunderbirds this year and tallied up 16 intercepts during the season while playing a tight one-on-one defensive style that wears down the opposition.