SOUTH AFRICA TO FACE INDIA IN FOUR TEST SERIES

The SPAR South African women’s hockey team is to play a SPAR Challenge test series against India, in Stellenbosch next month, as part of their preparations for the World Cup in Spain later this year.

Although South Africa is ranked higher than India in world hockey, the Test series should be a tough one for the home side. India, ranked 13th in the world against South Africa’s world ranking of 11, are the current Asian champions, and were silver medalists at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne earlier this year.

South African coach Jenny King is excited at the prospect of the series. “We look forward to playing the Commonwealth Games silver medalists in our own back yard,” she said. “Their speed and style of play mean that our team will be stretched to the limit if they are to succeed in the four-match series.

“The timing of the series is ideal in our build-up to the World Cup in September. India will highlight areas that we need to fine-tune before our departure for Spain. The series will also give us much needed match practice, as well as international experience for our less experienced players,” she added.

“The South African public will be treated to some highly-skilled, counter-attack hockey which should lead to some exciting encounters throughout the week.”

The Indian coach, MK Kaushik was also enthusiastic about the coming series. “We are looking forward to the Test series,” he said. “South Africa are known to be one of the most competitive teams in world hockey, and with the two teams being ranked so close together in the world rankings, we can expect an exciting and well balanced series.”

The Tests will be played at 18h30 on the 25th, 26th and 28th July, and the final Test will be played at 15h00 on Saturday July 29.

The series will be the first since South Africa’s inspirational captain, Lindsey Carlisle, announced her retirement from international hockey, and will give the players an opportunity to get used to playing under a new captain.

The team is expected to be announced in the next few days.