Francis wary of South Africa

Coach Connie Francis is positing that hosts South Africa will present a threat that should not be taken lightly, although she is confident of the Sunshine Girls' ability to progress through pool play at this summer's Netball World Cup.

Jamaica have intensified their preparation for the competition and left the island on Wednesday for an England tour beginning next week, which is being used to sharpen their skills.

The Sunshine Girls' path to the Netball World Cup title has already been determined, as they were placed with Wales, Sri Lanka and South Africa in Pool C at the draw last month. Wales and Sri Lanka are ranked ninth and 15th in the world, according to the latest rankings released in December.

Francis is bullish about their capabilities, but is wary of the threat fifth-ranked South Africa will pose, as they have the added advantage of playing a home series with the top three teams in the world.

"I have been watching some clips of them (Wales and Sri Lanka) and I don't anticipate that they will be a hindrance to us. I think that our netball skills and the years of playing together should take us through the hurdle, but our challenge is really with South Africa because although we have beaten them at the Commonwealth Games (last year), they are going into a quad series against Australia, New Zealand and England so they can get that exposure," Francis told STAR Sports. "Almost four teams will be ahead of us when it comes to the climate and the conditions in South Africa."

That 68-49 win in their Commonwealth Games group-stage match in July was the last meeting between the fourth-ranked Sunshine Girls and South Africa, en route to their silver medal win, the highest Jamaica have finished in the tournament. Despite that, Francis is not taking any team lightly, although confident in the team that she is crafting.

"I know that they are a capable team but I am backing our national team to go out there and to excel," Francis said.

Jamaica's squad for the Roses tour mostly comprises players that took part in the Commonwealth Games, except goalkeeper Shamara Sterling and Latanya Wilson because of injury, both of whom Francis says will be instrumental to their chances in the Netball World Cup in July.

"She (Sterling) was in training. She was at the session for this tournament. She is not able to tour with us, just because of the importance of her education and we are also missing another starter in Wilson (because of) knee injuries and we want to make sure that she is fully recovered to go back to Australia and to make it to the World Cup for us because those are two very important players for us," Francis said.