Top flight hockey back with a bang
The third edition of the Premier Hockey League (PHL) gets underway today at the Randburg Astro with a few tantalising match-ups, new-look teams and of course some new coaches.
And with world-class coverage from SuperSport, the PHL promises to raise the game once again.
Two coaches taking charge of their teams for the first time are Olympian Lungile Tsolekile and African Under-18 coach Lenise Marais.
Tsolekile, who played over 100 times for South Africa, will lead the Mapungubwe Mambas for the first time. They have the opening game of the tournament against the Golden Gate Gladiators, the SA Under-21 side.
Marais is another Olympian, who played a remarkable 232 games for South Africa. She led the SA Schools side to a series whitewash against Australia in July. This was the first time South Africa had won a match against Australia at this level and many of these players went on to win gold at the African Youth Games.
Marais, who coached in PHL 2016 before assisting in 2017, is now the head coach of the Wine- land Wings. The side had a tough 2017 where they finished bottom of the women’s section and continued a very unlucky tradition in the shootouts. They open their campaign against 2017 champions the Orange River Rafters.
Another tasty offering sees 2016 silver medallists Addo Elephants play 2017 runners-up Drakensberg Dragons. The Elephants will be buoyed by new signings Miguel da Graca and Dan Bell, while the signing of Tim Guise-Brown was a coup for Cheslyn Gie’s side. The Dragons are led by IPT-winning coach Sihle Ntuli, while Peter Jarvis is of the most exciting young talents in the country.
The other game to watch is the clash between Blyde River Bunters and Madikwe Rangers. The Bunters, led by Marcelle Keet, will rely heavily on keeper Phumelela Mbande, South Africa’s star at the recent Hockey Women’s World Cup. Rangers will again seek inspiration from Lisa-Marie Deetlefs who earned her 250th cap at the World Cup.