The Spar South Africa squad that is to play in a historic series against Botswana and Zimbabwe has been announced. The series will be Botswana’s first venture into international indoor hockey and aligns with South Africa’s continued development of the game in southern Africa.
Spar South Africa will play two test matches against Botswana and five against Zimbabwe at Danville Park Girls School, the unofficial home of Spar South Africa.
While development is a key focus for the South African management team, they will also keep an eye on the World Cup qualifier that will take place in 2020.
Convenor of selectors Greg White was happy with the depth of talent available at the indoor IPT in Pietermaritzburg, offering the selectors a superb challenge.
“We had 14 teams playing in Pietermaritzburg, the most ever, and it led to some great discussion in the selections. There are a few players coming back from injury or unavailability and we are excited to see how the team gels together. The depth of players is improving, and we are in a really good position.”
From the side that took part in the record-breaking European Tour, Zimi Shange, Cheree Greyvenstein, Jessica O’Connor, Tegan Fourie, Jamie Southgate, Amy Greaves and Edith Molikoe retain their places. Cindy Hack will continue to lead the team.
Celia Evans and Kara Botes, who were part of the victorious Croatian Cup adventure in 2018, are both recalled, while Alex Kavanagh and Robyn Johnson will get to add to their caps after impressive IPT performances.
The management team will feature the same three who led the team to Europe. Lennie Botha will lead the team for the 80th time in the first test and will be joined by Robyn Morgan as team manager and Brighty Mashaba as the video analyst. Botha will also be formally be joined by assistant coach AJ Spieringshoek for his first official cap for Spar South Africa.
Test series schedule:
May 28: 10am – South Africa vs Zimbabwe
May 28: 6pm – South Africa vs Zimbabwe
May 30: 10am – South Africa vs Botswana
May 30: 6pm – South Africa vs Zimbabwe
May 31: 10am – South Africa vs Botswana
May 31: 6pm – South Africa vs Zimbabwe
June 1: 5pm – South Africa vs Zimbabwe
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
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