​​​​Two Maties netball players left for Miami this weekend as members of the South African University​ team taking part in the World University Netball Tournament.

South Africa play their first game on Wednesday 13 July and the final games will take place on Sunday 17 July.

Juline Rossouw, a former learner of Paarl Gimnasium, and Charmaine Baard, a former learner of Brackenfell High School, are part of the group that will represent South Africa at this tournament.

They are both Education students – Juline in her fourth year and Charmaine in her third year.

Juline was included in the training squad earlier in the year while Charmaine was included later after some of the players in the squad were injured.

Juline wants to prove herself at international level.

"This is a wonderful opportunity and I am really looking forward to it," she said. "It is a great tournament and we have a very good team with excellent players."

As fourth-year student she plans to graduate at the end of 2016. She has therefore decided to give netball her all this year and grab all opportunities. She would love to be in contention to play for the Proteas and the Varsity Sports Netball Tournament is also around the corner.

Juline and Charmaine were both part of the Southern Stings team that competed in the Brutal Fruit netball competition.

It has been an eventful year for Charmaine thus far. Apart from taking part in the Brutal Fruit competition, she also represented South Africa in the test series against Wales as part of the u/21 team.

She is very excited about this opportunity that came along unexpectedly.

"It means that I have another chance to prove myself and it is such an unbelievable opportunity to go out there and to play the sport that I love so much. It is a new experience and I am really excited. I want to learn as much as possible and really want us to bring back gold.

"Netball is a big part of me and has been for more than 14 years. It is who I am and describes me perfectly. This sport is my passion and drives me to achieve more and more."

Because of their inclusion in the USSA team these two stalwarts missed the USSA tournament that took place at the University of Cape Town last week. Maties finished fourth. 

• A third Matie – Nelandré Mostert – is also in Miami as part of the Namibian team.