A total of 10 schoolgirls have been included in a squad of 40 players for the first SA u21 Women‘s hockey training camp.
The camp is the first step of preparation for the highly anticipated Junior Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place early in 2027.
Last year, South Africa won the tournament, outplaying Namibia 5-0 in a one-sided final in Windhoek to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
They’ll be out to defend their title next year under the tutelage of newly appointed coach Stacey-Lee Gedult.
Gedult has made a statement with her first selection camp, backing a large number of junior players who have impressed this season.
The schoolgirls called up for the camp all represented the SA u18A team at the u21 Inter-Provincial Tournament, where they claimed bronze.
From Northern Gauteng, goalkeeper Annika Kloppers, from Die Hoërskool Menlopark, and Lenique Vogel, from Hoërskool Waterkloof, were included in the squad.
The Eastern Cape has three representatives, DSG Makhanda’s exciting Lucy Holderness, Kerrin Gillies of Collegiate Girls’ High, and Hudson Park‘s prodigy, Busiwe Mayekiso, in the mix.
The Western Cape and Rhenish Girls’ High will be represented by Katherine Sickle, who captained the SA u17 girls’ side in Malaysia last year, and her Rhenish teammate, Sarah-Ellen Groenewald, who has been one of their standout players for the past two seasons. Anjum Kazie, of Milnerton High, joins them in the squad.
Kirsten Booysen of Oranje Meisieskool was rewarded for her consistency with a call-up, while Asanele Zuma from Durban Girls’ College also made the cut.
“This is an exciting first step in the journey towards the Junior Africa Cup of Nations and, ultimately, the 2027 FIH Junior World Cup,” SA Hockey’s Head of High Performance, Reggie Smith, said.
“The squad reflects the depth of emerging talent in our pathway, and we are delighted to have Stacey-Lee leading the programme.
“Her experience, energy, and understanding of the South African system will be invaluable as we build a competitive group capable of representing the country with distinction.
“The months ahead will be important as the players are challenged to grow, compete, and earn their place in the final squad.”
The rest of the squad is made up of senior players playing their hockey for clubs and universities.
Players who left school in 2025 include Abigail Holderness, Lucy’s older sister, who also attended DSG Makhanda. She now plays for the University of Pretoria.
Amber Fairon, who was at Dainfern College, represents the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Caprice Bengston (formerly of DGC), Jehan Abrahams (formerly of Wynberg Girls’ High), Leah du Plessis (formerly of Rhenish), and Tanya Pieterse (formerly of Paarl Gim) have all represented Western Province this year.
Meanwhile, Olympian and former Beaulieu College pupil Paris-Gail Isaacs is at Liberty University in Virginia, and former St Stithians College captain Reabetswe Phume plies her trade at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Both represented the Southern Gauteng side at the 2026 Senior IPT.
Squad (and the schools they attend/attended):
Abigail Holderness (DSG Makhanda), Katherine Sickle (Rhenish), Amber Fairon (Dainfern College), Keovaan Jansen (Northcliff High), Amy Kotze (Witteberg), Kerrin Gillies (Collegiate), Anathi Masondo (Northcliff High), Kgabiso Morafo (St Anne’s), Andrea Groenewald (Garsfontein), Kirstin Booysen (Oranje), Anjum Kazie (Milnerton High), Leah Du Plessis (Rhenish), Annika Kloppers (Menlopark), Lenique Vogel (Waterkloof), Asanele Zuma (Durban Girls’ College), Luane Janssen (Waterkloof), Bianca Reece-Gibbs (Eunice), Lucy Holderness (DSG Makhanda), Busiwe Mayekiso (Hudson Park), Paris-Gail Isaacs (Beaulieu College), Caprice Bengston (Durban Girls’ College), Reabetswe Phume (St Stithians), Cassandra Forbes (St Mary’s DSG, Kloof), Rebecca Haswell (Pearson), Emily Macquet (Durban Girls’ College), Ruby Krause (Durban Girls’ College), Emily Wilson (Wykeham Collegiate), Sarah-Ellen Groenewald (Rhenish), Georgia Curd (St Cyprian’s), Tanya Pieterse (Paarl Gimnasium), Gift Arinze (Durban Girls’ High), Tara Pakendorf (Durban Girls’ College), Hannah Quinton (Monument), Thabelani Metu (Lilyfontein), Inam Gungebele (Langa), Thatohatsi Mokhele (Southdowns College), Jehan Abrahams (Wynberg Girls’ High), Unathi Masondo (Northcliff High), Katarina Jardim (St Dominic’s), Usiphe Ngonweni (Cambridge High).
