South African Venter joins Vixens netball

Melbourne Vixens have bolstered their goal shooting stocks by adding South African international Ine-Mari Venter for the next Super netball season.

The 23-year old was noticed by Vixens head coach Simone McKinnis at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

The 192cm Venter will join a Vixens squad which includes Diamonds shooter Caitlin Thwaites, who has moved across town from local rivals Collingwood.

Venter, who plays for Gauteng Jaguars in South Africa's Netball Premier League, has been in the Proteas' national squad since 2016.

"I couldn't believe it when I first heard that an Australian-based team was interested in me and even more so that they wanted me to sign with them," Venter said.

"I'm really excited to be a part of the Vixens but also to play and live in Australia is a dream come true, and a great opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world."

Given the uncertainty over the return date from an ACL injury of high scoring Malawi international shooter Mwai Kumwenda, the Vixens have rounded out their squad by elevating mid-courter Tayla Honey.

The 21-year-old has been one of their training partners for the past two years.

Meanwhile, the Giants have re-signed Diamonds defender Kristiana Manu'a.

She missed the 2017 season due to a ruptured achilles tendon but was a strong contributor in 2018, when the Sydney-based team finished minor premiers before losing successive home finals.

Adelaide Thunderbirds have announced South Australians Cody Lange and Kelly Altmann in their squad for 2019.

Shooter Lange returns to Adelaide after two seasons with the Collingwood Magpies

Mid-courter Altmann joins the Thunderbirds from the Southern Force ANL side.