SA men's hockey team announced for World League semis

Jonty Robinson

South Africa enjoyed a 3-0 triumph over Malaysia in the four-Test series that ended at a packed Randburg Hockey Stadium on Tuesday, 11 June.

A tough selection process

The SA team for the World League semi-finals in Malaysia has London 2012 Olympians in Jonty Robinson, Clint Panther, Taine Paton, Wade Paton, Tim Drummond, Rassie Pieterse, Lance Louw, captain Austin Smith, named Mugg & Bean Player of the Series on Tuesday, 11 June, Julian Hykes, vice-captain Rhett Halkett and Lloyd Norris-Jones.

The team of 18 includes seven players from Southern Gauteng, five from Western Province, four from KZN Coastal Raiders and two from Northern Blues.

SA head coach Charlie Pereira said that choosing the final 18 from the talent available was extremely tough.

"There were lads who came very close but as always somebody is going to miss out," said Pereira.

World-class competition

The coach said practice games in Malaysia were in the process of being arranged and at this stage the possibilities included Argentina, Japan and Malaysia U21.

World number 12, South Africa fly out to Malaysia on 20 June and Pereira said the players would have a week to acclimatise before the tournament got under way.

In Pool B, SA meet world number four England on 29 June, world number 13 Malaysia on 30 June and world number five Pakistan on 2 July. All the SA matches start at 3pm (SA time).

The teams in Pool A are world number one Germany, world number eight Korea, world number 10 Argentina and world number 16 Japan.

SA men's team

• Goalkeepers: Rassie Pieterse (Southern Gauteng), Gowan Jones (KZN Coastal Raiders).
  
• Defenders: Austin Smith (capt, Western Province), Francois Pretorius (Northern Blues), Rhett Halkett (vice-capt, WP), Lance Louw (SG), Jethro Eustice (SG).
  
• Midfielders: Jonty Robinson (NB), Clint Panther (SG), Wade Paton (KCR), Tim Drummond (KCR), Nick Gonsalves (SG), Taine Paton (KCR).
  
• Strikers: Julian Hykes (SG), Craig Haley (WP), Pierre de Voux (WP), Miguel da Graca (SG), Lloyd Norris-Jones (WP).
  
• Team staff - Charlie Pereira (Head Coach), Bartel Berkhout (Technical Advisor), Pierre le Roux (Trainer), Moabi Malebye (Trainer/Video Analyst), Robin van Ginkel (Conditioning Coach), Megyn Robertson (Physiotherapist), Martin van Staden (Manager), Jamie Kroukamp (Video Analyst).