The South African u18 boys’ and girls’ teams will head to the FIH Fives World Cup in Egypt in December with a massive point to prove.
Both qualified for the inaugural showpiece after impressing at the World Cup Qualifiers Tournament in Kenya in August.
The girls’ team won the gold medal after beating the hosts, Kenya, 11-6 in the final, while the boys’ team had to settle for second place, losing to the same opponents, 5-6, in their final.
With those results, both South Africa and Kenya qualified for the World Cup, with Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana missing out.
The tournament in Ismailia runs from 4 to 13 December, and South Africa has named two star-studded teams, showing their intentions to hunt for silverware.
Paul Roos Gimnasium‘s Michael Baker will coach the boys’ side, while Pius Nkosi, from King Edward VII (KES), will manage the team.
Newly appointed Grey College Director of Hockey, Michael Baden, will handle the strength and conditioning responsibilities for both the boys’ and girls’ sides.
Both sides include notable changes from the line-ups that contested the qualifiers, with only two players from the Kenya qualifiers – Hoosen Jabber of Parktown Boys’ High and Jay-Dee Carolus from Krugersdorp High School – retaining their places in the boys’ squad.
The new players include goalkeeper Morero Gumbi, from Pretoria Boys High, who also played for the Northern Gauteng u18 team at the SASHOC National Week.
Caleb Cilliers, from Paul Roos, and Luc Boyall, of Northwood, will form a formidable attacking partnership.
Gauteng’s interests are represented by King Edward VII’s Kamohelo Tsoka and Jeppe’s Kade Lottering.
After a superb season for Parel Vallei High, Stephan Malan also cracked the nod, joining another Bolander, Paarl Boys’ High skipper, Martin De Bruyn, in the national side.
Affies’ star Kean Cornelissen, also a highly rated indoor hockey player, was also included.
Nolwazi Nkabinde of St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, retains the coaching reins of the girls’ team. She’ll be accompanied by Nonhlanhla Mtolo, better known as Nonnie, from St Stithians College, who will be the team’s manager.
They’ll be in charge of a dynamic, star-studded line-up of players who lit up the 2026 hockey season.
Goalkeeper Annika Kloppers, from Die Hoërskool Menlopark, a rock in the last line of defence, has been included.
Ziyanda Mchunu from St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, is also in the side, alongside her KZN Coastal teammate Asanele Zuma, from Durban Girls’ College.
Danville Park Girls’ High‘s Codie Bestbier captained the South African team in Kenya, and she will also do duty in Egypt.
Eunice‘s Claire Volschenk and Xylia Choene of Eunice’s Bloemfontein rivals, Oranje, were also included, while Lucy Holderness, from DSG Makhanda, and Pearson High School‘s Kiyara Constable joined them in the squad.
Martina Jonker, from Potchefstroom Gimnasium, and Azania Peterson, of St Andrew’s School for Girls, complete an exciting group of players.
TEAMS
u18 Girls’
Ziyanda Mchunu (St Mary’s DSG, Kloof), Annika Kloppers (Die Hoërskool Menlopark), Codie Bestbier (Danville Park Girls’ High), Claire Volschenk (Eunice Girls’ High), Asanele Zuma (Durban Girls’ College), Lucy Holderness (DSG Makhanda), Martina Jonker (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), Azania Peterson (St Andrew’s School for Girls), Xylia Choene (Oranje), Kiyara Constable (Pearson High).
u18 Boys’
Morero Gumbi (Pretoria Boys High), Hoosen Jabber (Parktown Boys’ High), Caleb Cilliers (Paul Roos Gimnasium), Luc Boyall (Northwood School), Kamohelo Tsoka (King Edward VII), Kade Lottering (Jeppe High School for Boys), Stephan Malan (Parel Vallei High), Martin De Bruyn (Paarl Boys’ High), Kean Cornelissen (Affies), Jay-Dee Carolus (Krugersdorp High).
