Super Netball: Adelaide Thunderbirds replacement Visser ready to step up for absent Sterling-Humphrey

She’s made her international debut, moved across the world and started a Super Netball career all in a whirlwind few months but Sanmarie Visser is ready for the challenge.

She’s stepping into the shoes of the best defender in world netball.

But rookie South African Sanmarie Visser has backed herself to step into the void left by the departure of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey to ensure the Adelaide Thunderbirds maintain their reputation as the best defensive unit in Super Netball.

Sterling-Humphrey announced last week she was pregnant with her first child and would be stepping away for the remainder of the season, with Visser becoming Thunderbird No.112 when she made her debut at goalkeeper in the premiers’ narrow loss to the Giants in round 4.

It’s been a whirlwind few months for the woman who, just six months ago was a rising South African netball prospect getting set to commence her honours year in business and marketing at university.

But since January, the 21-year-old has made her international debut for the Proteas, moved to Australia to further her sporting career and made her debut in the most prestigious professional league in the world.

“I think if you told me last year that this all will be happening so quickly, I would have laughed at you,” Visser said.

“It’s just all happened so quickly.”

Even her international debut - made for the Proteas in a series against now teammates Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson in Jamaica, in January, came at late notice when she was an eleventh hour replacement for former Sunshine Coast Lightning defender Karla Pretorius.

“My debut for the national team was also an opportunity I grabbed,” Visser said.

“I got the call at very late notice that I will be travelling with the team and I think from there, I just set my mind to (the fact that) anything can happen at any moment so I just have to be ready every single time, every minute of every day.”

Sanmarie Visser has backed herself to step up for the Thunderbirds. Picture: Getty Images

To say Visser made the most of her opportunity is an understatement.

Already on the radar of many in the game after her efforts at the Fast5 world championships in New Zealand, her efforts in the series against the Sunshine Girls, followed by a stellar showing at the Netball Nations Cup in England - including an MVP match against the Roses - put Visser front of mind when the Thunderbirds needed a replacement.

Contrary to conspiracy theorists though, Visser was genuinely drafted into the side as a replacement player for Romelda Aiken-George, whose off-season knee surgery was expected to keep her out for at least the opening Super Netball round.

Contacted in February, Visser had an interview with head coach Tania Obst, assistant and defensive specialist Cathy Fellows and high performance lead Jace Bode about making the trip to Australia as soon as possible.

Her departure was delayed slightly by surgery for a broken nose suffered twice - in the series against Jamaica and then again at the Netball Nations Cup - but Visser arrived in South Australia in March, joining the Thunderbirds at the Team Girls Cup.

Sanmarie Visser (left) was thrown into the fire against Giants duo Matisse Letherbarrow (right) and Jo Harten in round four. Picture: Getty Images

Playing Super Netball has long been a dream for the defender who idolised Pretorius as a youngster but the product of Upington in the Northern Cape had been preparing for another year of varsity competition for North West University.

It was boyfriend Wiehan Nel who convinced her the timing was right though and she had to take her opportunity.

“It was such a big decision for us, and I think because I had to make the move so quickly … but he was so supportive,” Visser said.

“He said that if I don’t take this opportunity, it would be something I would regret for the rest of my life and that maybe this opportunity won’t present itself again, so it was just something I had to do.”

Certainly, Thunderbirds coach Obst showed no hesitation in throwing Visser into the fire, starting her at goalkeeper against veteran Giants shooter Jo Harten last week.

Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst wasted no time thrusting Sanmarie Visser into the action last week. Picture: Getty Images

While the 184cm Visser racked up 16 contact penalties in her 54-minute stint, her three gains and five deflections against the former England Roses goaler showed she will be a force in this league.

“The pressure on this level is just unmatched,” Visser said of her debut.

“I just needed to keep a poker face. I told myself, I can’t look stressed, I just need to be ready for this, and I just prepared my mind that I can do this, and I’ve been part of the training environment, and everyone else believes in me, so I just need to believe in myself.”

Visser will be up against it again this weekend, especially if she retains the GK bib, matching up against the league’s tallest player, 201cm Ugandan Mary Cholhok when the Thunderbirds head to Brisbane to take on the Queensland Firebirds.

Given the height difference, she could be rotated into her preferred position of goal defence but regardless of where she plays she’s determined to make her mark this season.

“I’m definitely type of person that loves the pressure,” Visser said.

“And I think for my benefit, I don’t know a lot of these players. I’ve seen them play yes, but I’ve never played against them, so … I’m going to capitalise on my strengths and I just need to do what we’ve practised in training.”

Originally published as Super Netball: Adelaide Thunderbirds replacement Visser ready to step up for absent Sterling-Humphrey