Netball World Cup: Grace Nweke injury worry threatens to sour Silver Ferns' huge win over Singapore

The Silver Ferns have completed the first preliminary stage of the Netball World Cup with a perfect record, taking an 80-19 victory over Singapore - albeit at potentially the cost of shooter Grace Nweke.

With wins over Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda already under their belts, Dame Noeline Taurua's side hit 70 points for the second game out of three, while their defensive end were relatively untroubled at Cape Town's International Convention Centre.

The only potential blemish on Sunday's win came as Nweke limped from the court with what appeared to be a knee injury in the third quarter.

Gina Crampton against Singapore.
Gina Crampton against Singapore. Photo credit: Getty Images

The 21-year-old shooter has so far impressed at her first Netball World Cup, scoring 31 from 31 attempts against Trinidad and Tobago, and 15 from 16 against Uganda.

Speaking post-match, coach Taurua said there was no initial diagnosis for Nweke, who will need to be assessed by team medical staff.

"Not at this stage," Dame Noeline told Sky Sport. "Just a quick word from the physio, we'll have a quick look when we get back in the sheds.

"[It was] good to pull her off at that moment of time so we can ascertain where she is."

Should Nweke be ruled out, Tiana Metuarau is with the Silver Ferns as a travelling reserve in South Africa. 

The world champions comprehensively outscored Singapore in every quarter, and kept their opponents to single figures in every period.

As Dame Noeline rotated her side to build combinations on-court, Te Paea Selby-Rickit stood out inside the shooting circle, scoring 49 goals from 51 attempts, and found support from Maia Wilson (15/19), Nweke (12/13) and captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio (4/6).

In midcourt, Kelly Jury got through another 45 minutes playing out of position at wing defence, while Maddy Gordon stood out at wing attack, giving 28 goal assists to her shooters.

In defence, Phoenix Karaka impressed across three quarters, while Jane Watson got through the entire 60 minutes.

Whitney Souness was the only player in the Ferns' squad not to get on court during Sunday's win.

Silver Ferns 80 (Selby-Rickit 49, Wilson 15, Nweke 14, Ekenasio 4)

Singapore 19 (Chahal 11, Wei Toh 8)