/ 18 January 2011

SA women’s hockey team upbeat ahead of series

The South Africa women's hockey team are hoping for good form when they play in the South African International Series starting on Wednesday.

The South Africa women’s hockey team are hoping the form which led them back from defeat against the Argentinians will help them through the South African International Series starting on Wednesday.

The South Africans, who are ranked 12th in the world, will take on fourth ranked and Beijing Olympics silver medallists China, 14th-ranked Azerbaijan and 17th-ranked Belgium in the 22-day tournament, Hockey SA said in a statement on Monday

After losing to the Argentinians four times, the South Africans beat them 4-0 at the Free State hockey centre, in Bloemfontein, in their final Test on December 17.

Hockey SA said the squad would be missing a number of players for the series.

They included the injured 150-plus capped forward Jen Wilson, who featured in the recent World Cup and Commonwealth Games and striker Cindy Botha.

Returning to action was forward Roxanne Turner, who pulled out of the Commonwealth Games before the first game in Delhi with a recurring back injury, and missed the series against Argentina.

The South Africans meet Azerbaijain on Wednesday, again on Thursday and on Saturday at the Wanderers Club.

Team: Marsha Marescia (capt), Pietie Coetzee, Lisa Deetlefs, Roxy Turner, Marcelle Keet, Dani Forword, Mariette Rix, Kathleen Taylor, Shelley Russell, Jade Mayne, Tarryn Bright, Illse Davids, Hanli Hattingh, Pippa Rabey, Nicole de Vries, Lesle-Ann George, Hettie Oosthuizen, Izelle Lategan, Kara Stella, Dirkie Chamberlain, Nicolene Terblanche, Kim Hubach, Sanani Mangisa, Kelly Madsen, Sulette Damons and Celia Evans. — Sapa