Proteas International Teams Up With Pulse For 2026

From plying her trade in leagues around the world, experienced shooter Ine-Marí Venter has added New Zealand to the mix after signing with Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse for the 2026 ANZ Premiership netball season.

The South African international played for the Melbourne Vixens (2019) and Queensland Firebirds (2020) in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) league followed by four years for the Saracens Mavericks in the UK Super League. She has spent this year playing in South Africa’s national league.

The Pretoria-born, 1.92m sharp-shooter, played against the Pulse in a pre-season match when in Firebirds colours in 2020 and now finds herself joining them.

``I don't think I ever imagined myself playing in New Zealand but I feel really blessed and excited to have signed with Pulse,’’ she said.

``I know they are, and have always been, a really competitive team in the ANZ and I’m looking forward to stepping in to such an environment at this stage in my career.

``I hope to bring some experience from both my times in England and Australia but also from my time playing for the Proteas. I hope to bring some leadership into the shooting circle but in doing all, have fun in the process.’’

Playing the majority of her career at goal shoot, Venter, 30, has in more recent times, developed her goal attack game and can happily slot in to either role under the hoop. In an added boost, and with a view to the two-point shot introduced this year, shooting from range is a natural part of her repertoire.

``I have always considered myself a far range shooter,’’ she said. ``I have never limited myself to only shoot from close range.

``I was also part of the Firebirds when SSN originally brought in the two-point shot and recently our league in South Africa has also incorporated the two-point shot and I have actually enjoyed taking those shots, and have always felt comfortable taking those shots.’’

Working her way through the grades, Venter played for the U19 and U21 South Africa teams before making the senior Proteas team in 2017 and touring New Zealand that year for the Quad Series, also involving Australia and England.

Devastated when having to withdraw from the 2019 World Cup due to injury, the long-limbed shooter savoured a special occasion when playing for the Proteas in the 2023 edition, in Cape Town, when the event was held in Africa for the first time.

At a crossroads, the opportunity to reset with the Pulse has come at the perfect time for Venter.

``For the past year, I had to strip back everything I have built in my netball career over the last seven years and really take a step back and figure out why I play this sport and find the enjoyment in playing again,’’ she said.

``This year at home gave me this and gave me the time to find my purpose in playing again, but now it is to start building that on a bigger and more competitive stage and I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to do it than with a club like Pulse in one of the world's best leagues.’’

Venter graduated with a degree in Agricultural Animal Science in 2019 while a diploma in Veterinary Nursing had to be put on the back burner while chasing her netball opportunities.

``We’re delighted to welcome a player of Ine’s calibre to the Pulse,’’ Netball Central Director of High Performance Waimarama Taumaunu said.

``She is a very accurate shooter, has the height factor and her experience across various leagues as well as internationally are all incredibly valuable features she will add to the Pulse for next year.’’

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