The national squads for both the South African men's and women's national teams were announced on Thursday, 18 May. An impressive 76% of the women selected have participated in Varsity Hockey, while seven of the 21 men have done so. The new squads include no less than six players from Tuks.

The news broke just days before the Varsity Hockey final between Tuks and Maties, on Monday 22 May in Pretoria, where four of the South African women could be seen in action.

Fabian Gregory, national men's coach, emphasised the need for more game time and a concerning lack sponsorship.

'The fact that our world ranking is lower does not make things easier for us, but there is an all-encompassing plan in place to rejuvenate our competitiveness. Not playing enough games due to a lack of sponsorship is killing us, but we have the talent, we just need to spend more time working together as a team,' Gregory said.

The important gap that Varsity Hockey plugs was outlined once more. While the high number of national players participating indicates the strength of the competition, what is really needed is quality game-time in high-intensity, professional circumstances.

With live SuperSport coverage, rule changes that push athletes to their limits and a competition that puts players up against the best in the country, all while dealing with touring and travelling, Varsity Hockey is far more than just a university competition.

 

National squads (Tuks players highlighted)

SA Women

Kirsty Adams

Stephanie Baxter (NWU Puk 2013)

Kara Botes

Nicole la Fleur GK (Maties 2017)    

Candice Manual

Nicolene Terblanche (Tuks 2017 club manager)

Izelle Verster (Tuks 2013/2105/2107)

Quanita Bobbs (Maties 2015)

Bernadette Coston (UJ 2013)

Sulette Damons (NWU Puk 2013/2017 management)

Ilse Davids (Maties 2013)

Lisa Deetlefs (UJ 2017)

Lilian du Plessis (UJ 2015)

Celia Evans (NWU Puk 2013/2015)

Tarryn Glasby (Maties 2015/2017)

Erin Hunter (Maties 2015)

Shelley Jones

Marizen Marais (UJ 2015)        

Jade Mayne

Phumelela Mbande (Tuks 2015)

Line Malan (Kovsies 2013/2015)

Jessica O'Connor

Carmen Smith (UJ 2015)

Marelize van Tonder (Tuks 2017)                          

Nicole Walraven (Kovsies 2015)

 

Coach:  Sheldon Rostron (NWU Puk Varsity Hockey 2017 coach)

 

SA Men

Rassie Pieterse

Gowan Jones

Jethro Eustice (2017 UKZN Womens' coach for Varsity Hockey)

Robin Jones

Tyson Dlungwana (UJ 2016)

Mohamed Mea

Jonty Robinson

Dan Sibbald

Reza Rosenburg

Ryan Julius

Clinton Panther (UJ 2014)

Owen Mvimbi

Julian Hykes

Ryan Crowe (UJ 2106)

Nqobile Ntuli

Ignatius Malgraff (Madibaz 2016)

Dayaan Cassiem

Richard Pautz (Tuks 2014/2016)

Tevin Kok (Tuks 2016)

Melrick Maddocks

Damien Kimfley