Cape Town to host top women's hockey matches

Image courtesy of Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium in Observatory is the home of all 11 international encounters with SA facing the Dutch in two tests, Australia in three and then Belgium in six matches. With the World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands beginning at the end of May, head coach Giles Bonnet has an ideal chance to put his group to the test in 11 intense matches while the stay in Cape Town also serves up the opportunity for the extended squad to train together.

Test squad

Bonnet, a former SA men's captain and head coach, named the following players for the tests against The Netherlands and Australia: Marcelle Keet, Quanita Bobbs, Kelly Madsen, Sulette Damons, Bernie Coston, Marsha Cox, Pietie Coetzee, Shelley Russell, Tarryn Bright, Lilian du Plessis, Kathleen Taylor, Phume Mbande, Hanli Hattingh, Illse Davids, Celia Evans, Lisa Deetlefs, Dirkie Chamberlain, Erin Hunter, Sammy Prost and Anelle van Deventer.

Additional squad members training in Cape Town and contenders for the Belgium series are Toni Marks, Kaila Flemming, Tarryn Glasby, Luché Klaasen, Nicolene Terblanche, Lenise Marais.

Players who would be joining the group for a still-to-be-announced test series in Johannesburg next month are Carmen Smith, Christine Roos, Tanya Brits, Candice Manuel, Izelle Lategan, and Jade Mayne. Injured and not considered for the summer matches is goalkeeper Sanani Mangisa.

Fixtures at Hartleyvale

January - vs The Netherlands: Saturday 18th (4:00pm); Monday 20th (7:00pm).
vs Australia: Wednesday 22nd (7:00pm); Friday 24th (7:00pm); Saturday 25th (4:00pm).
vs Belgium: Sunday 26th (4:00pm); Tuesday 28th (8:00pm); Wednesday 29th (7:00pm); Friday 31st (7:00pm).

February - vs Belgium: Sunday 2nd (4:00 pm); Monday 3rd (7:00 pm)