Itsokolele location, a place regarded as one of the poorest areas in Matatiele has given birth to a netball star that is already flying the Matatiele flag high around the world. Refiloe Nketsa was named in the SPAR Proteas group of 16 players that had travelled to Kingston for a series against Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in October 2021. Due to Covid they could not go Jamaica but their tour was changed to Ireland.
Nketsa born in 2001 had already represented her country back in 2017 when she was playing in the South African under 16 team that won the Cossasa Games in Lesotho.
Nketsa made name for herself in her matric year of Sentraal High School in Bloemfontein. In 2019 she toured with the South African under 18 side to the international schoolgirls challenge in New Zealand. She was named as the South African best player .Earlier in 2019 she was the player of the tournament at the Wildeklwer Super Schools.
She also played for the national under 16 in 2017. Nketsa was the member of the SA under 21 in 2020 and 2021. Playing for the SPAR Baby Proteas against the SA Presidents XII in 2021 she earned a player of the Match award. The wing defence/ centre made her debut for the Crinums in 2020.
Commenting about her selection Nketsa said, she always wanted to play for Proteas since she was a child. “To be called up and be given a chance to showcase my talent is a blessing. It still feels surreal. I am real thankful”, said Nketsa.
She said the motivating factor behind her success is her mother. “ My mom is my ultimate inspiration. Her support and motivation always blew my mind so this one is honestly for her”, she concluded.
