Bonnet’s London 2012 Preps into Full Swing

Two of the Investec South Africa women’s hockey team’s superstars, double Olympians Kate Woods and world record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee, arrived in Glasgow Thursday and joined the team in an extensive workout at Clydesdale Hockey Club ahead of Friday’s 8.30 am (SA time) fourth Test against Scotland.

Both looked fresh and relaxed and were immediately throwing themselves with enthusiasm into the core exercises and running drills under the direction of one of head coach Giles Bonnet’s group of trainers, Phil Estourgie of Holland.

SA are 2-0 up in the five-Test series and should go 3-0 up Friday, although Scotland captain Linda Clement and number one goalkeeper Amy Gibson will return after missing Scotland’s 4-2 third Test defeat on Wednesday night. The first Test last Sunday ended 2-2 and last Monday’s second Test saw SA beat Scotland 2-1.

World number 18 Scotland are at a disadvantage without their four London 2012-bound Great Britain squad members, who Bonnet described as “phenomenal hockey players”.

The world’s 12th-ranked SA squad are now at full strength, although striker Lauren Penny is nursing a shoulder injury and undergoing daily treatment.