SA face a tough task at Gold Coast

THE Commonwealth Games on the Australian Gold Coast from April 5-14 is provide a major stage for South Africa’s teams, who were African champions in 2015 and 2017.

The women’s squad have improved significantly in the past two years and will be aiming to at least reach the semi-finals in Australia.

The team has a settled look about it with many seasoned international players forming the spine of the team. Co-captains Sulette Damons and Nicolene Terblanche have a wealth of experience between them and they will rely on stalwarts Quanita Bobbs, Ilse Davids, Lisa Deetlefs, Shelley Jones and Candice Manuel to draw on their vast experience to pull them through the tough moments of the event.

The pool stage pits them against Olympic champions, England, as well as India who are ranked above SA due to our non-participation at the 2016 Olympics. They should progress to the semi-finals if they can beat India and then have it all to play for.

The men’s squad contains a blend of youth and experience, with captain Tim Drummond, Austin Smith and Clinton Panther adding the experience. The SA forward division has plenty of with youthful exuberance with four of the five players under the age of 22.

The steely defence and the skilful youngsters is a recipe that has the makings of a competitive unit.

Western Province are well represented in the forward line with Dayaan Cassiem, Ryan Crowe and Keenan Horne bringing their individ- ual skills to the table.

The team finds itself in a tough pool with hosts and defending champions Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

All the teams are ranked above SA, except Scotland, and the Proteas will have to look to win at least two of our games to progress to the semis.

The squad will be coached by new appointee, Mark Hopkins. It will be his first international assignment and he will be looking to ensure that SA are a tough team to break down.

SA will have to be clinical in front of goal as they have traditionally been wasteful in that area. The youngsters have a great opportunity to impose themselves and if they play to their full potential then SA could surprise a few teams.