Manchester Thunder star Shadine van der Merwe on the one key reason she joined the club ahead of Vitality Netball Superleague opener

New Manchester Thunder star Shadine van der Merwe moved to the North-West for one primary reason: trophies.

The 29-year-old, who played for South Africa in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 World Cup, joins 2021 third-place finishers Thunder after spending the last three seasons with Suncorp Super Netball side Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Saturday will mark a return to the Vitality Netball Superleague for the elite defender, who played for Surrey Storm in 2018.

“The most exciting part for me is being part of a team with a winning culture,” she said, explaining her decision to sign with Thunder.

“Knowing that they’ll go into semi-finals, but obviously it’s a lot of preparation getting there, so focusing on the process first before the end result.

“But I’m just excited for that winning culture and being in an environment where there’s a lot of competition amongst each other.”

Van der Merwe is one of several big names recruited in the off-season by Thunder boss Karen Greig, who is set to lead a formidable side boasting numerous returning Vitality Roses including Eleanor Cardwell, Laura Malcolm and Natalie Metcalf, who is also returning to the UK after her own three-year stint Down Under.

Thunder fans might better recognise Metcalf by her maiden name—the 29-year-old went by Natalie Haythornthwaite until her December wedding.

Metcalf, who has 56 caps for England, most recently vice-captained the Vitality Roses in January’s Quad Series at London’s Copper Box Arena.

Van der Merwe only landed in the UK three weeks ago, so she can be forgiven for not having done much exploring in her adopted home.

“There’s still a lot to see in Manchester,” she confesses.

“But I’m still excited to hang around and explore more. They say it’s a very