Proteas captain Bongi Msomi calls time on illustrious netball career

South African netball captain and centre Bongi Msomi officially announced her retirement from the game on Friday.

Msomi, who led the Proteas in their home Netball World Cup, retires on 171 caps - ending as South Africa's most-capped netball player of all time.

Following the Proteas' recently concluded tour to England, where they lost 2-1 in the three-match Test series, Msomi has confirmed that she will call time an illustrious career that has spanned over a decade.

"The decision to retire comes after careful consideration, but I am so grateful that I can make this announcement with a full heart, knowing that I leave the Proteas and South African netball in a very healthy space," said Msomi in a statement.

"I am eternally grateful to all the coaches, colleagues and teammates who have played instrumental roles during my career - there are too many to mention, but you know who you are! Thisha (Mr SG Mncwabe), I will forever thank you for seeing the talent in me and going the extra mile in making sure I become more than just an athlete in netball."

In 2011, Msomi made her Proteas debut in Singapore and continued to impress, playing for several clubs overseas including Surrey Storm, Wasps and Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Then in 2016, Msomi was handed the captaincy armband, a role she has thrived in and made a name of her own.

Msomi proved to be a natural leader and led the Proteas to their most successful Netball World Cup performance in 2019, a fourth-place finish. This, in part, helped to raise the profile of the sport and Msomi became a household name.

The Proteas centre and wing attack has appeared in three Commonwealth Games and August's Netball World Cup in Cape Town, marking her fourth tournament appearance.

"A massive thank you