Former Australian captain Nat von Bertouch congratulates SA’s Sarah Klau on her Diamond selection

Netballer Sarah Klau has become the first South Australian in two years to be selected in the Diamonds squad

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Former Diamonds captain Natalie von Bertouch is among the first to congratulate 24-year-old netballer Sarah Klau after she was named in the Australian team this morning — the first South Australian in two years to be selected for the national squad.

The 190cm goal keeper, who is playing for the NSW Swifts in Suncorp Super Netball, is considered one of the best defensive rebounders in the league.

Von Bertouch said it was exciting that Klau had earned her first national call-up with the Netball World Cup in Liverpool fast approaching.

The World Cup is from July 12-21.

“It’s wonderful for South Australia to finally get another Diamond,” von Bertouch said.

“She’s really earnt that Diamonds spot.”

The Swifts are currently top of the Super Netball ladder and von Bertouch said that was in large part due to the hard work that Klau had done on court.

“She’s been fantastic in the Suncorp Super Netball and how well the Swifts are doing can be attributed to the work Sarah has done,” von Bertouch said.

Swifts defender Sarah Klau (right) tries to win the ball. Picture: Craig Golding/AAP

Klau is one of nine players in the 12-person squad who will be heading to their first World Cup. Caitlin Bassett remains as captain, with Liz Watson named vice.

The last South Australian to be selected for the Diamonds team was Natalie Medhurst, who retired from national duties in 2017.

It’s a far cry from SA’s netball heyday in the late 1990s and early 2000s when up to five South Australians were in the national squad at any one time, including Kathryn Harby-Williams, Sarah Sutter and Peta Scholz.