SA's Taljaard didn't let fear stop her from scoring buzzer goal: 'A lot of trust has been put in me'

Proteas goal shooter Nichole Taljaard didn't let the fear get in her way as her last-grasp goal set the Netball World Cup alight on Wednesday.

With three seconds left on the clock, and the Proteas trailing by one, Izette Griesel passed to Taljaard, who stood on the edge of the inside circle.

Then, with only one second left on the clock, Taljaard promptly stepped up to score the equaliser, sending the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) crowd into a massive frenzy.

Taljaard's moment was immortalised in South African netball history, as they played to a thrilling 48-48 draw against the defending champions.

With this upset result in the Netball World Cup Pool G encounter, the Proteas kept their tournament hopes alive.

"I was really hoping they wouldn't pass the ball to me, when I got the ball, I just saw the hoops and took my chance, and it went in," Taljaard said after the game.

"A lot of trust has been put in me from our coaches and my teammates, it's been so amazing. There's been so much support and positivity and I thrive off it."

Taljaard added that this fearlessness had been instilled within her as she looked to improve more on her game.

"It's something my mom taught me when I was younger: when you step on court, let them be afraid of you, you can feel it on the inside but no one will see it on the outside," said Taljaard.

"I didn't even want to know who they had on goal defence, I just had to focus on myself and my game play and not the other way around."

WHAT HAVE WE JUST WITNESSED?!@Netball_SA DRAW 48-48 with the @SilverFernsNZ in an epic encounter with the last play of the game ????#NWC2023 | #PutYourHandsUp pic.twitter.com/dyAcFJOyr2

Taljaard's shot had been in the works, as she stated that coach Norma Plummer