England’s series with South Africa sees Jess Thirlby come full circle and has led her to a place of reflection.

The Roses have been on a similar trajectory to the Proteas since Thirlby took over seven years ago, and now face off in the final international action England will have before the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer. 

The teams met in 2019, in Thirlby’s first assignment as head coach, with England triumphing 2-1 in Cape Town. 

“It has not gone unnoticed, the steady rise and competitiveness of this South Africa team. They too have gone through this evolution and have got some new talent that has come onto the team since Norma’s tenure,” Thirlby said. 

“Our rivalry with them is reignited, and we have never taken any team for granted. We are humble enough to know that we have to keep pitting ourselves against the best, and that isn’t just Australia.  

“South Africa was my first series when I came into the job in 2019. I really enjoy going over there, but most importantly, in preparing for the Commonwealth Games, our intention is to go over there and best simulate the demands of Games conditions in Glasgow and finish that series tournament ready.” 

It all kicks off on Thursday, and the three-match series is the culmination of an international window that has seen England play New Zealand and Jamaica as well as the Proteas. 

All three teams will be vying to secure a medal in Glasgow in just a few months’ time, with the Roses having missed out on home soil in 2022. 

For Thirlby, that Games was another step in the evolution of England, who are now ready to take on the world’s best. 

She added: “The team is in a really healthy place. The mindset and psychology in the group has shifted so much since I came into post in 2019.  

“There was a lot of good that we inherited from the previous successes, not least the Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, but the team was always going to be on an evolution from here on in.  

“It was always going to take a bit of time, and I think we are in a really good position now to set ourselves high standards and bold ambitions, they are not hollow anymore. We have proven to ourselves we can beat the best teams in the world.” 

Thirlby has made history as England coach, earning a rare second cycle in the top job and guiding the Roses to a first-ever Netball World Cup final. 

It does not mean she is immune from criticism, with netball fans some of the most passionate, but toughest critics in sport. 

"It is really healthy that there is conversation, debate, free speech,” Thirlby said. “I almost feel like we would be failing if we’re not creating conversations.  

“But I am not naive, I get that a lot of that can be directed at me. It is hard to see it as par for the course because there is a line in sport now where we need to take care of our people and coaches are no different to the athletes, so there is a line to be drawn on that. 

“But I also have to be disciplined and know that there is a privilege to waking up every day and getting to work with some incredible women in this team, and it is my honour to know them better than anyone else.  

“I know and trust myself in terms of my processes when we are picking a team, why we are picking it, and I will put my hand up when there are things I might be able to do better next time. 

“It is brilliant that netball creates conversations, and if sometimes I am a reason behind it, great. But I am only human, and that is ok as well. It is hard.  

“But to reassure people, when we lose, I am hurting as well. The important thing is I have got to have the resolve and resilience to know where next and I am pretty good at turning my attention to that.”