Versatile defender Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa has been recruited by the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel as an interim replacement player.

Munro-Nonoa, 20, will fill the void left by co-captain Kate Heffernan, who is currently rehabilitating after hyperextending her right knee during training last week.

The Auckland-based talent is a member of the New Zealand U21 squad and skilled at covering the goal defence, wing defence and centre positions.

A key member of the Comets team in the Synergy Hair Netball League, Munro-Nonoa was elevated to the Stars ANZ Premiership squad last year and impressed with her potential in the elite environment.

Steel head coach Wendy Frew was eager to see her continue to excel.

“Khanye is an exciting defender who reads the game well and plays a really strong one-on-one game. She is powerful on attack as well,” she said.

“I believe she will be a real asset for our team. We’ve picked her purely because she is so versatile and can play in all three of the bibs we need cover for at the moment.

It is pretty impressive a player so young can play across all of those positions.

“Khanye has a really bubbly personality. She came in at the last minute for us against the Tactix for the opening game and just fitted into our environment so well.

“I’m looking forward to coaching her and helping her grow. It takes a lot of courage for a young player to step out of her comfort zone and head all the way down south so we will wrap some love around her and make sure she feels that support and really relishes this opportunity.”

The Steel heads to Hamilton this weekend to prepare for its round two match against the Avis Magic on Monday night.