2012 Diamond Challenge

The 2012 Diamond Challenge was the inaugural Diamond Challenge netball series. It featured South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Zambia. The series was played in August 2012 at Pretoria's Heartfelt Arena.[1][2][3] Malawi won the group stage of the series, winning all three matches, including defeating South Africa 47–42 in their third match.[4][5] However, it was South Africa who won the overall series, after they defeated Malawi 47–43 in the final.[3][6][7] The series was broadcast live on SuperSport in South Africa.[1][8]

2012 Diamond Challenge
Tournament details
Host country South Africa
CityPretoria
Venue(s)Heartfelt Arena
Dates15–18 August 2012
Teams4
TV partner(s)SuperSport (South Africa)
Final positions
Champions South Africa
Runner-up Malawi
Third place Botswana
2013 →

Head coaches and captains

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Team Head coach Captain
  South Africa[3][5] Elize Kotze Zanele Mdodana
  Botswana Kagisano Mawela[9]
  Malawi Griffin Saenda[4][10] Grace Mwafulirwa
  Zambia Annie Mukamba[11]

Source:[1]

Group stage

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Round 1

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15 August 2012   Malawi 75–32   Zambia  
18:15

Source:[12]

15 August 2012   South Africa 55–26   Botswana  
19:45

Source:[9]

Round 2

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16 August 2012   Malawi 63–29   Botswana  
18:00

Source:[13]

16 August 2012   South Africa 47–34   Zambia  
19:45 Lucy Jere   22/26 (85%) Melissa Myburgh   34/43 (79%)

Source:[11]

Round 3

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17 August 2012   Botswana 59–41   Zambia  
18:00
17 August 2012   South Africa 42–47   Malawi  
19:45

Sources:[4][5]

Final table

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Pos Team P W L D GF GA GD Pts
1   Malawi 3 3 0 0 185 103 82 6
2   South Africa 3 2 1 0 144 107 37 4
3   Botswana 3 1 2 0 114 159 –45 1
4   Zambia 3 0 3 0 107 181 –74 1

  Qualified for Final
  Qualified for 3rd/4th place match

Playoffs

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3rd v 4th Playoff

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18 August 2012   Botswana 45–36   Zambia  
12:00

Final

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18 August 2012   South Africa 47–43   Malawi  
13:40 Mwai Kumwenda   39/41 (95%)
Teams
Head Coach:
Elize Kotze

Starting 7:
GS Chrisna Bootha
GA Maryka Holtzhausen
WA Zanele Mdodana (c)
C Thuli Qegu
WD Bongiwe Msomi
GD Karla Mostert
GK Vanes-Mari du Toit


Squad:
WD, C Nosiphiwo Goda
C, WD Precious Mthembu
GS, GA Melissa Myburgh
WD, GK Adele Niemand
GD Anneret Viljoen

Head Coach:
Griffin Saenda

Starting 7:
GS Mwai Kumwenda
GA Sindi Simtowe
WA Beatrice Mpinganjira
C Bridget Kumwenda
WD Grace Mwafulirwa (c)
GD Caroline Mtukule
GK Towera Vinkhumbo


Squad:
C, WA Thandie Mwale Galleta
GD, WD Joanna Kachilika
GS Tina Kamuyambeni
GD, WD Joyce Mvula
GD, GK Loreen Ngwira

Sources:[3][6][7]

Award winners

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Award Winner Team
Player of the Tournament Mwai Kumwenda[6]   Malawi

References

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  1. ^ a b c "SuperSport to Broadcast Diamond Challenge". gsport.co.za. 14 August 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Netball Diamond Challenge – Heartfelt Arena 15 – 18 August 2012". www.up.ac.za. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Weakened South Africa triumphs over Malawi in Diamond Netball Challenge Final". netballscoop.com. 19 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Malawi beat South Africa in Netball Diamond Challenge". www.nyasatimes.com. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Queens Have Diamond Challenge Advantage". gsport.co.za. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "SA Down Malawi at Diamond Challenge". gsport.co.za. 18 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Jubilant Proteas dethrone Malawi Queens 47-43". www.up.ac.za. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  8. ^ "SuperSport to broadcast the Netball Diamond Challenge". www.sportspromedia.com. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Win Over Botswana Opens Diamond Challenge". gsport.co.za. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Buoyant Malawi Queens off to South Africa for Diamond Challenge". www.nyasatimes.com. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Zambia Make SA Work Hard for Win". gsport.co.za. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Malawi beat Zambia in opening match of Netball Diamond Challenge". www.nyasatimes.com. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Malawi Queens thrash Botswana in Diamond Challenge". www.nyasatimes.com. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2024.