The Silver Ferns will finally have a full strength squad for the first time since March last year, when they compete in the Quad series early next year.
New Zealand selectors have named 14 players to travel to Cape Town next month for the series against Australia, England, and hosts South Africa.
Jane Watson has been missed in the Silver Ferns' defensive end. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Silver Ferns are set to gain 165 Test caps with defenders Jane Watson and Karin Burger, and midcourters Gina Crampton and Claire Kersten named in the team for next month's series.
A foot fracture cruelly ruled Karin Burger out of Commonwealth Games, just weeks out from Birmingham.
Watson hasn't played for the Silver Ferns since last year's Constellation Cup in March after requiring ankle surgery at the end of last year's ANZ premiership season, before announcing she was pregnant.
The influential defender had her first child in May this year.
Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio returned to the side in September for the Taini Jamison series against Jamaica, after having her second child.
Gina Crampton, the vice captain, has returned from a sabbatical following July's Commonwealth Games.
Sulu Fitzpatrick, Watson, and Shannon Saunders, who is expecting her first child, are still part of the senior leadership group.
There's no room for wing defence/goal defence slide Kayla Johnson, or circle defender Elle Temu, who got her debut against Jamaica in September.
The big mover is Claire Kersten, who hasn't been seen since January's Quad Series.
With the return of Crampton and Kerston to the midcourt there was no room for Maddy Gordon, Kimiora Poi, or Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, who were all part of the recent Constellation Cup.
Wing attack Peta Toeava has also secured her spot in the side after making an impact during October's Constellation Cup.
Once again the Silver Ferns' selectors have gone with the bare minimum number of shooters, with the quartet unchanged from the last two series.
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua said she was delighted to welcome back the experienced heads, with Watson, Burger, and Crampton all Netball World Cup winners in 2019, and was excited to see what they would bring to the Silver Ferns mix after some time away.
"We cannot underestimate the amount of netball nous and leadership that returns to the court with these players ...that big-game experience becomes crucial, and I can see the work they have done behind the scenes has supported their desire to be back in the Silver Ferns environment. They haven't relied on the past, they earned their selection.
"Karin has returned from a foot injury and has made great progress. She really adds that extra height to the midcourt and can cover either position in the defensive circle, so she brings plenty of versatility to that end of the court," Dame Noeline said.
It will be an opportunity for Burger to resume a defensive pairing with Watson - the duo last playing together for the Tactix in 2021.
"We're really excited to have Gina back with us after what was a well-deserved rest. She had a large workload leading into the Commonwealth Games and I know she is refreshed and rearing to go."
The Quad Series will be a crucial step as the side builds up to next year's Netball World Cup in July, also in South Africa.
The series will take place between the 21-26 January 2023.
Silver Ferns Team
Shooters
Grace Nweke
Maia Wilson
Ameliaranne Ekenasio (captain)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Midcourters
Gina Crampton
Peta Toeava
Whitney Souness
Claire Kersten
Kate Heffernan
Defenders
Kelly Jury
Phoenix Karaka
Karin Burger
Jane Watson
Sulu Fitzpatrick
