The Vitality Roses have officially named their squad for the upcoming three-match test series against South Africa, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on January 29, 31, and February 1, 2024. Head coach Jess Thirlby selected a total of fifteen players, with the majority coming from the team that recently claimed victory in the Vitality Netball Horizon Series against the Jamaica Sunshine Girls.
This series is a significant opportunity for the team, as it serves as their final international matches before participating in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games set for July and August 2026. Thirlby expressed enthusiasm about the challenge of facing a world-class opponent like South Africa, currently ranked fifth in the world.
The squad comprises fourteen players from the victorious Horizon Series, which saw England clinch the trophy for the first time following a 2-0 series win over Jamaica. Notably, Imogen Allison has made a return to the team, pending fitness clearance, after missing previous matches due to an injury.
Squad Composition and Key Players
The full squad for the South Africa series includes:
– Halimat Adio
– Imogen Allison*
– Jaz Brown
– Eleanor Cardwell
– Amy Carter
– Beth Cobden
– Funmi Fadoju
– Sasha Glasgow**
– Helen Housby**
– Natalie Metcalf
– Lois Pearson
– Razia Quashie
– Jess Shaw
– Liv Tchine
– Francesca Williams
*Subject to fitness
**Available for ranking Test matches against South Africa only
Thirlby highlighted the importance of this series as a critical step in the team’s development leading up to the Commonwealth Games. “This series in South Africa is a really important step for us as we continue to build towards the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games,” she said. “Facing a world-class side like South Africa away from home will provide a valuable challenge and an opportunity to test ourselves.”
The coach emphasized that the matches will allow the players to reinforce their standards and assess their progress in a high-performance environment. “As our final 180 minutes of international netball together before the Games this summer, it’s a key opportunity to gain clarity and test our resilience,” Thirlby added.
The Vitality Roses are coming off a strong performance against South Africa, having defeated them 61-55 in their last encounter during the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in February. This upcoming series is not only about maintaining momentum but also about integrating returning players into the squad.
Thirlby remarked on the depth and competition within the group, noting the continued development of players like Jaz Brown, the return of Natalie Metcalf to international netball, and Imogen Allison‘s recovery from injury.
As excitement builds ahead of the matches in South Africa, the Vitality Roses aim to build on their recent successes and prepare effectively for the challenges that lie ahead in the Commonwealth Games.
