Dirkie set on avoiding a pasting

Fixtures

THE SOUTH AFRICAN women’s hockey team face India in the first of two Tests at Hartleyvale today and the national outfit have a point to prove, says team manager Emma Bay.

“It’s Olympic Games year and our men and women won’t be participating in Rio as part of Team SA because of a ruling made by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.

“Be that as it may, this is a chance for us to show the country and the world that we are a force to be reckoned with. Our girls are raring to go. We haven’t played India for quite a while, and they’re a skilful side, so we expect it to be tough.

“Our main focus is on building a team for the future, with our sights set on the World Cup in 2018. It’s a rebuilding phase with experience and youth central to our way of thinking.

“So we welcome the chance to play seven matches in just over two weeks in Cape Town and the 24-strong squad assembled for the Private Property Summer Series has shown plenty of verve and enthusiasm and want to make it a memorable occasion.”

With further Tests against Scotland (two) and Germany (three), fitness and teamwork will be key to South Africa’s chances.

Coach Sheldon Rostron has been working his charges hard and feels upbeat about their chances. “We’ve put in hard work at the host stadium and it is nice to see the progress being made,” he said.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into our set-pieces and it is always a nice thing when you have more than one player who can execute from dead-ball plays.

“Also, the communication aspect when in possession of the ball ... I would like to see (at Hartleyvale unless stated) Today: SA women vs India (4pm) Tomorrow: SA women vs India (4pm) Wed, Feb 24: SA women vs Scotland (6pm) Fri, Feb 26: SA men vs Germany (6pm) Sat, Feb 27: SA women vs Scotland (4pm) Sat, Feb 27: SA men vs Germany (6pm) Sun, Feb 28: SA women vs Scotland (6pm) Mon, Feb 29: SA men vs Germany (6pm) Fri, Mar 4: SA women vs Germany (5pm, Bishops) Sat, Mar 5: SA women vs Germany (4pm, Stellenbosch) keen awareness and initiative when launching attacks on goal.

“We need to be aware of our surroundings when undertaking sorties and to be quick repelling any counter-attacks if we lose possession.”

One of the players tasked with scoring for SA is England- based striker Dirkie Chamberlain. The 29-year-old veteran of 200 Tests (she made her debut in the 2006 World Cup) arrived in Cape Town on Thursday and joined the squad at training yesterday.

“I can’t wait to get on the pitch and do the business,” Chamberlain said. “I’ve been around for many a year and I must say I’m pleased with what I see.

“The squad assembled is a mix of youth and experience. It’s just nice to see the way the girls are coming on and I feel we have the desire and skills to match any of our opponents.

“India are two places behind us on the world rankings and I’m sure would love nothing more than to give us a pasting on our home turf, but we’ll see about that today and tomorrow.

“Then there’s Scotland and Germany awaiting, so lots of games in a short space of time. But that’s what we want, plenty of competition so we can measure our level of play, something that doesn’t happen enough.”

“We would love to have a main sponsor on board to help us out in this department, so a positive set of results may help the cause.”

It will be interesting to see whether Rostron fields new caps in his run-on XI. Those in the squad waiting to make their debuts are Marizen Marais, Carmen Smith, Marlise van Tonder, Nicole Walraven and Tarryn Glasby.

“I’m sure some if not all of them will be in the frame,” said Rostron. “We’re rebuilding, so it makes sense to give them game time.

“It’s a balancing act, if you will. It is important that we get the mix right, and I’m sure that’s going to be the case.”

Shelly Russell is the most capped player with 247 starts. Lisa-Marie Deetlefs (221), Nicolene Terblanche (captain, 179), Sulette Damons (164) and Candice Manuel (128) will no doubt have big roles to play in the final outcome.