Cape Town is known for producing world-class athletes who represent their nation and shine on the world stage – and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Women’s Junior World Cup in Hockey will be no different.
No less than seven players – and one manager – from the Western Province region will join Team SA next month as the country plays host to the Cup, bringing the event to African soil for the first time. The tournament will take place from 5 to 16 December 2021 at North West University in Potchefstroom.
The team, announced yesterday (11 November 2021), will be managed by Cape Town’s own Lynn Abrahamse, and will include players such as Laylaa Davids, Kayla de Waal, Mikkela Le Roux, Caylin Maree and Maboloke Serage.
South Africa have been pooled with European heavyweights Germany and Spain, as well as the United States of America in Pool D of the 16-team tournament, with the top two teams from each of the four groups progressing to the quarter-final stage.
During the announcement of the squad by the South African Hockey Association, Head Coach Lenise Marais was excited about the opportunity of hosting the global showpiece.
“We were unfortunate not to take on the African Qualifier in Ghana due to the COVID pandemic, but having had the opportunity to participate in the recent IPT was a massive benefit to our squad. The improvement throughout the week continued to show immense spirit and class in the side and we can’t wait to represent our country at the FIH Junior World Cup. I am incredibly proud of the way the players have conducted themselves throughout the process and believe we have selected the best possible squad to take on the world!”
The team features such top talent as Onthatile Zulu and Edith Molikoe, who were part of the senior set up at the Tokyo Olympics; while De Waal and Bianca Wood have both tasted international action before. That experience will serve them well.
‘I have to be the best version of myself to help the other players,” Zulu has said. “There were two of us at the Olympic Games who will now be at the World Cup and we experienced the highest calibre of hockey ever. We want to be playing at the highest level we possibly can as a junior side too and to showcase our skill set and our ability to play at that level.’
The core of the squad also represented South Africa at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. De Waal, Mishka Ellis, Nepo Serage, Jacolen Mclaren, Zimkhita Weston and Welham were all part of the tremendous squad that finished 4th in that event – and clinched a historic triumph over Australia in the Quarter Finals.
Will Germany’s strong record of performance overwhelm their opponents? Will USA’s rising talent win the day? Or will Team SA’s talent and homeground advantage carry them through? Stay tuned for more!
The full South African Squad is as follows:
- Laylaa Davids – Western Province
- Kayla de Waal – Western Province
- Jean-Leigh Du Toit – Northern Blues
- Mishka Ellis – North West
- Chante Ferreirra – North West
- Sare Laubscher – Free State
- Mikkela Le Roux – Western Province
- Hanrie Louw – Northern Blues
- Caylin Maree – Western Province
- Edith Molikoe – Northern Blues
- Jacolene McLaren – North West
- Mathapelo Ramasimong – North West
- Maboloke Serage – Western Province
- Jeanri Thomas – Western Province
- Angela Welham – Western Province
- Zimkhita Weston – North west
- Bianca Wood – Amathole
- Onthatile Zulu – Northern Blues
Travelling Reserves:
- Tamlyn Kock – Southern Gauteng
- Charmorné Theron – North West
FIH Junior World Cup 2021 – SA Fixtures
5 December 2021 – SA vs. Spain
7 December 2021 – SA vs. USA
9 December 2021 – SA vs. Germany
