/ 21 June 2013

SA women’s hockey team ‘positive’ ahead of England clash

Sa Women's Hockey Team 'positive' Ahead Of England Clash

The world's number 11-ranked team were ready to face England, ranked fourth, in a match to be televised live in South Africa on Saturday night.

“We have had good match preparation and training in Scotland and we are ready,” said co-captain Lenise Marais on Friday.

“There were four hard Test matches and we also got in some quality training sessions and are looking forward to the challenge."

South Africa beat Scotland 2-1 in the series in Edinburgh which finished on Tuesday.

Pietie Coetzee, the most successful goalscorer in the history of women's Test hockey had taken her tally to 272 goals in 267 Tests including her 10 goals scored against Scotland.

The striker, however, still felt there was room for improvement.

“I am not at my best yet and there are areas I want to improve on,” the 34-year-old Coetzee said Friday.

The South Africans would need to be on top of their game against an England line-up featuring forward Alex Danson, captain and penalty corner exponent Kate Walsh and Ashleigh Ball. – Sapa