The SPAR South Africa Indoor Hockey squad to play in a historic series against Botswana and Zimbabwe has today 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 2 test matches against Botswana and 5 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, an eye will be slowly glancing towards the World Cup Qualifying 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!” – Hockey SA Convenor of Selectors, Greg White
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 also continue to lead the team.
Celia Evans and Kara Botes, who both 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 highly impressive IPT performances.
The management team will feature the same three that 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:
Wednesday 28 May 2019 – 10:00 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
Wednesday 28 May 2019 – 18:00 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
Thursday 30 May 2019 – 10:00 – South Africa vs. Botswana
Thursday 30 May 2019 – 18:00 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
Friday 31 May 2019 – 10:00 – South Africa vs. Botswana
Friday 31 May 2019 – 18:00 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
Saturday 1 June 2019 – 17:00 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe
SPAR South Africa Test Squad:
1. Kara Botes – Southern Gauteng
2. Celia Evans – Northern Blues
3. Tegan Fourie – SPAR KZN Raiders
4. Amy Greaves – KZN Inland
5. Cheree Greyvenstein (GK) – SPAR KZN Raiders
6. Cindy Hack (C) – SPAR KZN Raiders
7. Robyn Johnson – Southern Gauteng
8. Alexandra Kavanagh – Southern Gauteng
9. Edith Molikoe – KZN Inland
10. Jessica O’Connor – SPAR KZN Raiders
11. Zimi Shange – SPAR KZN Raiders
12. Jamie Southgate – Western Province
Technical Staff:
Coach: Lennie Botha
Assistant Coach: AJ Spieringshoek
Video: Brighty Mashaba
Manager: Robyn Morgan
Photo 1 Caption: A screen grab of the SPAR SA Indoor Hockey squad and upcoming fixtures announcement against Botswana in their world-stage debut series, and Zimbabwe. Photo: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Edith Molikoe (pictured) joins Zimi Shange, Cheree Greyvenstein, Jessica O’Connor, Tegan Fourie, Jamie Southgate and Amy Greaves among those retaining their place from the side that took part in the record-breaking European Tour. Photo: Supplied
Photo 3 Caption: The SPAR South Africa Indoor Hockey squad including Jessica O’Connor (pictured) will play against Botswana in their historic debut international in a two-match series, before facing the dangerous Zimbabwe in a 5-match series at Danville Park Girls School in Durban. Photo: Supplied
With editing by gsport
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