It will be a historic occasion as 16 nations descend on South Africa for the first ever African Hockey World Cup. The Junior World Cup, hosted at Potchefstroom University, is the 9th occurrence of the FIH Womens Junior World Cup and will take place from the 5-16 December.
South Africa, the hosts, have been pooled with European heavyweights Germany, Spain and the United States of America in Pool D of the tournament, with the top 2 from each group progressing to the Quarter Final stage.
The South African Hockey Association has today announced the Squad that will represent the hosts in the tournament, with Head Coach Lenise Marais 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 cant 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 Onthathile Zulu and Edith Molikoe who were part of the senior set up at the Tokyo Olympics, while Kayla de Waal and Bianca Wood have both tasted international action before. Christa Ramasimong and Zulu will be the co-captains leading from the front. The core of the squad also represented South Africa at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Mishka Ellis, Kayla de Waal, Nepo Serage, Jacolen Mclaren, Zimkhita Weston and Angela Welham were all part of that tremendous squad that finished 4th in that event, including a historic triumph over Australia in the Quarter Finals.
FIH Junior World Cup 2021 – South African Squad
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
Charmorne 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
The South African Hockey Association wishes the team best of luck for their challenge!
