How does one recognise Chantelle Swart on the netball court?

The answer is simple. The Tuks netball player is the smiling one. She seemingly enjoys being in the midst of the action. Every time she scores, her smile lingers a little bit longer. 

Last month, Swart had a reason for doing so. She made her senior national team debut playing for the SPAR Proteas. It has been a dream for her to play for the national team ever since she started playing netball for the first time. 

What made the moment more special was that one of her best friends, Juzelri Garbers of TuksNetball, also got to make her international debut. She starred for Namibia.

The SPAR Proteas played against Namibia in the opening game of the SPAR Challenge Tri-Nations tournament in Cape Town on 25 March 2021.

When Swart and Garbers were both on the court, their friendship counted for nothing. It had to be that way. Playing goal attack, Swart was out to try and score goals for the Proteas, while Garbers, as goal defence, was hell-bent on making things as difficult as could for the Proteas's shooters. 

The Proteas won 58-30 against Namibia in the first match of the tournament. Later the same day, the Proteas managed to beat Uganda 49-33.

Swart readily admits that when she ventured on to the court for the first time as an international player, it was one of the highlights to cherish. She is, however, also realistic.

"I really need to be at my best every time I step on to the court…to prove that I deserve to keep on playing for the Proteas."

Several SPAR Proteas players were unavailable for selection because they are playing league netball in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Proteas head coach, Dorette Badenhorst, fielded a blend of experience and youth with five new caps.

At Tuks, Swart got used to playing goal attack and goal shooter, but she prefers the challenges of being a goal attack more.

"Goal attack for me is about catching the opposition defence off guard, making it easier for the goal shooter to score. You got to be able to read the game, sort of pre-empting what might happen, and then make your play."

As to the pressure of being one of two players that must score, Swart said the secret is not to overthink things on the court.

"What happened, happened. It can't be undone. That is what I learned playing alongside Chrisna van Zyl for the Jaguars.  Being a goal shooter for the Proteas was for her about having the right mindset. You are not going to score every time you shoot for a goal. It is netball. The secret is to remain focused, making sure the next opportunity counts. In the end, that is what makes you a good international player is how Chrisna explained it."

According to Swart, the former Proteas international, Melissa Kotze, also significantly influenced the way she thinks about netball. 

"Everything started for me the day Jenny van Dyk (Tuks head coach) spotted me playing for Hoërskool Oos-Moot. I must have done something to have impressed her because I was offered a bursary. Tuks is where I learned that hard work and dedication do pay off."