Crunch ties in last day of preliminary round
Naledi Lemogang | Wednesday July 12, 2017 09:28
After today’s round, teams will be re-configured into pools once again based on their positions following the preliminary round.
The tournament has been running since Saturday at two venues; University of Botswana Indoor Sports Centre and Ditshupo Hall.
So far defending champions, New Zealand look set to finish at the top of Pool A after winning their first three games against Northern Ireland, Scotland and Samoa. They are expected to easily go past Sri Lanka who are yet to taste victory in the tournament. New Zealand are currently on six points in their group.
The defending champions will automatically go into Pool E in the next stage of the re-configured pools.
Their coach recently told Mmegi Sport their desire is to successfully defend the title.
They will be joined by either South Africa or Australia. The two teams are currently on six points in Pool B.
They face each other today with the losing side joining New Zealand in Pool E of the re-configured pools.
The winner between Australia and South Africa today will go into Pool F. Interestingly, Australia are currently ranked position one by the International Netball Federation (INF) while their likely opponents in the next stage, New Zealand are ranked number two.
Pool D will be decided today with a tough encounter between England and Fiji.
Both sides have registered three victories so far and their encounter will decide which team finishes at the top and joins Pool F in the next stage.
The runners up in Pool D will join New Zealand in Pool E.
Meanwhile, teams that finish third and fourth will be pitted against each other in Pools G and H.
Those finishing at the bottom of their groups will automatically join Pool I in the next round. The new rankings will be announced after the tournament.