SA Women hockey - Erin Hunter
May 2, 2019

SA Women’s Hockey team announced for FIH Hockey Series Final

CN&CO has a connection with hockey. Allan, in our team, coaches and plays at St Stithians Boys College and Crusaders Club (also out of St Stithians). It is this connection with Saints and Director of Hockey at Saints, Robin van Ginkel, who is the SA Women’s national head coach, proudly sponsored by Super Group, that keeps us connected to the goings on of the hockey scene.

Robin and his selection committee have announced the team to travel to Valencia in Spain from 19-27 June to compete in the FIH Hockey Series Final.

Congratulation to Erin Hunter and Phumelela Mbande on their appointments as captain and vice-captain, respectively.

Keep up to date by following the SA Women’s team’s social media.
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The below article, published on the SA Hockey website, gives us more information.

The South African Women’s Hockey Team, proudly sponsored by Supergroup, will be taking part in the FIH Hockey Series Final in Valencia from the 19-27 June. The tournament, featuring 8 sides including hosts Spain, has two spots up for grabs in the Olympic Qualifying matches to be played later this year.

The South Africans have been sorted into pool B alongside Wales, Thailand and Italy. The top team in each pool progresses directly to the Semi-Finals while the 2nd and 3rd placed teams play a cross pool qualifier first.

The South African challenge will be led by new captain Erin Hunter, who is appointed for the first time to lead the country. The vice-captain has been appointed as Phumelela Mbande, her first outing for the country since her player of the match performance against Argentina at the Hockey World Cup.

Hunter and Mbande were both part of that World Cup squad and are joined from that squad by Kristen Paton, Kara Botes, Dirkie Chamberlain, Lisa Deetlefs, Lilian du Plessis, Quanita Bobbs and Tarryn Glasby. There is also a recall for Celia Evans, the 2016 SA Hockey Player of the Year, after missing the showpiece event with a knee injury.

Bianca Woods, Hannah Pearce and Sandi Tabata will all be given the opportunity to earn their first caps for the country after impressing for the South African Under 21 side recently, while Indoor national player Robyn Johnson also will get an opportunity to wear the green and gold for the first time with the outdoor side.

It will also be the first test tournament for Robin van Ginkel in the role of Head Coach for South Africa and he is excited about the opportunity:

“I am really excited to take my first team to Spain and look to do well in the FIH Hockey Series Final. The team selected has a good core of experienced players that will help blend the new names into the team and into International hockey. I am really looking forward to the start of our four-year process and the success we can bring to South African Hockey!”

South African Women’s Hockey Squad

  1. Erin Hunter (captain) – Southern Gauteng – 41 caps
  2. Phumi Mbande (Vice-captain) (GK) – Northern Blues – 35 caps
  3. Stephanie Baxter – North West – 23 caps
  4. Quanita Bobbs – Western Province – 114 caps
  5. Kara Botes – Southern Gauteng – 41 caps
  6. Dirkie Chamberlain – North West – 225 caps
  7. Lisa Deetlefs – Southern Gauteng – 250 caps
  8. Lilian du Plessis – Southern Gauteng – 119 caps
  9. Celia Evans – Northern Blues – 145 caps
  10. Tarryn Glasby – Western Province – 30 caps
  11. Robyn Johnson – Southern Gauteng – no caps
  12. Marizen Marais – Northern Blues – 14 caps
  13. Mmathshepo Modipane (GK) – Southern Gauteng – 5 caps
  14. Kristen Paton – Southern Gauteng – 15 caps
  15. Hannah Pearce – SA U21 – no caps
  16. Sandi Tabata – SA U21 – no caps
  17. Izelle Verster – Northern Blues – 7 caps
  18. Bianca Wood – SA U21 – no caps

Fixtures – Hockey Series Final

19 June – South Africa vs. Wales
20 June – South Africa vs. Italy
22 June – South Africa vs. Thailand
24 June – Crossovers
26 June – Semi-Finals
27 June – Final