The national squads for both the South African men’s and women’s national teams were announced on Thursday 18 May. A massive 76% of the women selected have participated in Varsity Hockey, while seven of the 21 men have done so.

The news breaks just days before the Varsity Hockey final between Tuks and Maties, on Monday 22 May in Pretoria. Four of the SA ladies will be in action in the final.

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

“Our world ranking being lower does not make things easier for us, but there is a total plan in place to rejuvenate our competitiveness. Not playing enough games is killing us due to a lack of sponsorship, 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 has been 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.

Catch the Varsity Hockey final at Tuks Astro in Pretoria on Monday 22 May at 18:45, live on SuperSport 7.

National squads (Varsity Hockey 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