Netball: Van Dyk's defection shocks new South African coach

Irene van Dyk's change of allegiance has come as a shock to South African netball authorities.

The talented shooter has made herself available for the Silver Ferns after settling in as a teacher in Upper Hutt and deciding to stay.

But new South African coach Elise Kortze said she had expected the 27-year-old back after the Coca-Cola Cup finished.

"It came as a surprise, because Irene applied at RAU University and Gauteng Region to play for them when she got back in June, so we all expected that she was coming back."

Kortze said public reaction in South Africa had been overwhelming.

"Irene is like a trade-name in South Africa. She's a symbol of netball here and the people are most probably thinking what is going to happen to netball now. There's a great feeling of loss - everyone's talking about it."

Van Dyk's husband, Christie, who is in Johannesburg preparing for the move, rang Kortze a fortnight ago to say the family was staying in New Zealand.

Van Dyk has starred in the Coca-Cola Cup as a key member of the strong Shakers team, leading the shooting averages after six rounds.

Her switch in allegiance has caused consternation in netball circles.

Commentators and players have attacked world netball rules, which allow players to change countries provided they don't represent more than one in a year, and some believe netball in South Africa will suffer drastically.

But Kortze - a former national representative and in her first year as national coach - believes South African netball has sufficient depth to overcome Van Dyk's departure.

South Africa leave today for a tour of England, and Kortze is lauding a new shooting star, 1.93m Shani Welthagen.

- NZPA