AIMING HIGH

South Africa's netball team stepped into the spotlight this year - and its captain, Bongiwe Msomi, couldn't be prouder. We sat down with her to find out more about her and the team's journey.

Bongiwe Msomi started playing netball by chance. She was 16 years old when she was called onto the court to fill in for a friend, and she hasn't looked back. Six years later, she debuted as a player for the SPAR Proteas netball squad. In 2016, she became captain and has led her team to new highs ever since.

To support young netball players and pay it forward, Bongi has also founded the Bongi Msomi Legacy Project in her hometown, Hammersdale in KwaZulu-Natal. Not only does the foundation provide them with a kit, transport and food, but it also equips them with knowledge and opportunities. And, somewhere in between, she manages to coach and manage the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Netball Club. We chatted to her about the experience of having a World Cup on home soil, and what this means for South Africa's netball culture and community.

What clicked on the day you stepped onto a netball court for the first time?

It was never really a conscious decision to start playing. I was asked to fill in for a player one day, and I knew nothing except what I'd seen from the sidelines. After that game, I actually thought I didn't want to play again because the others were so good! At that age, you only want to do things you're good at right away. I didn't have confidence and I was shy. The coach asked me to go back the next week, so I did out of respect for him.