The 26-year-old, fresh off the African Cup of Nations victory for the national side, in Randburg, recently, turned his attentions to the indoor version of the game at the South African Inter-provincial Hockey Tournament, in Pietermaritzburg, last weekend.
Playing for the KZN Raiders team, Eustice dominated under the roof and led his team to the overall win in the final over KZN Inland.
He also finished as the top goal-scorer and the player of the tournament.
“Winning the Indoor IPT wasn’t easy, but it was truly special,” he told the City Times.
“KZN Inland has had the dominance of the Indoor IPT over the past five years and made it a tough task to beat them.
“Our Raiders team had a lot of young players and only a few experienced players, recently coming off the Indoor World Cup, in February.
“It was exciting to be part of a team that played a lovely style of indoor hockey and created so much, which really helped me to play my attacking game.
“When the time came I took my chances and scored 15 goals.
“I managed to score two of those goals in the final, which I was really happy about.”
Eustice added that he wasn’t focusing on being the player of the tournament, as it was the first time he had participated at an Indoor IPT in about two years.
His solid performance saw him earn selection for the national indoor team who will do battle against a strong International All Stars line-up, in the four-match Denbeys Indoor Series, in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, from Thursday, December 9.
“I have been playing indoor hockey for almost 10 years now,” he said.
“I started when I was 15 for the Benoni Northerns Junior team, in the Eastern Gauteng League, in Brakpan, and was lucky to be selected for the Eastern Gauteng u-21 side that same year.
“It was always a dream for me to play for the SA Indoor Team and now, to finally get a chance to play for the Blitzstokke is an amazing feeling.
“I have always wanted to be a part of this team, and getting my first cap against the International All Stars is going to be something to remember.”
The International All Stars team comprises four Dutch world champions, two German world champions, Spanish, Namibian and Zimbabwe internationals.
When asked what he prefers between indoor and outdoor hockey, Eustice replied: “I am on the fence with this question.
“I really enjoy all forms of hockey,
“If I could play ice hockey or roller hockey I would definitely try it.
“If I am on the outdoor hockey field or on the indoor court, I am in my happy place.”
