Beaulieu hockey player optimistic for indoor world cup set to take place in Pretoria next year

Both the South African women's and men’s indoor hockey teams took on Namibia as they begin their tournament training for the indoor world cup is set to take place next year in February.

November 20, 2022

Khomotso Makgabutlane 2 minutes read

Beaulieu Hockey Academy player Rusten Abrahams in action for the Jozi Warriors in the Joburg Hockey League at Randburg Astro. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

With the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Hockey Indoor World Cup set to take place in Pretoria from February 5–11 next year, the South African teams are in preparations for the upcoming tournament.

Both the women and men’s teams began their preparation for the tournament by playing a five-match series against African rivals Namibia in Windhoek. The women’s side went down 1–2 in the series while the men triumphed with a 3-1 win.
Rusten Abrahams, Beaulieu Hockey Academy and national hockey player was part of the men’s squad who took on Namibia. He said it was slightly difficult to tell how ready the team is for the tournament as a few capped players were not in the side against Namibia.

National indoor hockey player and Beaulieu Hockey Academy player Rusten Abrahams in action for his club side at Cliffview Primary School. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“The series started off a bit rocky. We’ve only trained on the turf once and our new additions to the squad were a little rattled. I think after the first game, we came together to fix our mistakes and overcame the first-game-jitters to win the series 3–1,” he said.
“We’re missing players like Chad Futcher, Anton van Loggenberg, Ryan Julius and Justin Domleo. They were announced in the previous World Cup squad, but there might be a number of new players to be announced for next year,” Abrahams told Fourways Review.

The sides are set to begin their training camps from which a new team will be put together where new and current names in the South African indoor hockey scene could come to light. The Indoor World Cup was set to take place earlier this year Belgium, but was then cancelled due to Covid.
Speaking on playing against Namibia, Abrahams said the series against the fellow African country was a good test of the team’s character. “Namibia have been our rivals for the last couple of years. They have improved their game quite well over the last couple of year, and it’s good to see that they’re improving their game. It’s now a tight competition when playing them, and no longer a one-sided affair. Even though we outclassed them in the last three games, they are coming back and will be a very good team should they, and South Africa, get more game time and exposure,” he concluded.