South Africa netball star Zanele Vimbela is set to miss the Vitality Netball Superleague 2021 season with Strathclyde Sirens following a knee injury.

The 31 year-old defender will undergo surgery after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament at a recent TNL Tournament in South Africa.

Vimbela said: “Although it was great to get out on court and play in South Africa’s TNL, sadly it’s been short lived through sustaining a knee injury. 

"I was really looking forward to getting back to the UK and getting back out on court with my Sirens teammates and it’s unfortunate that I won’t be able to take part in the Vitality Netball Superleague.

"It will be a challenging journey to recovery, but it will be worth it to get back out on court, in a better and stronger form.”

A replacement for Vimbela in the Sirens squad will be announced in due course. 

The 2021 Vitality Netball Superleague season is due to begin in February.