By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Twenty of the country’s most talented young hockey players have been selected to represent South Africa at the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup in Ismailia, Egypt, from 7–12 December 2026.
Ten boys and ten girls earned their places following a fiercely competitive national selection camp earlier this month, where some of South Africa’s finest emerging hockey talent came together to compete for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Now, these young athletes will carry the hopes of their schools, communities and country into a tournament that will bring together the world’s most exciting emerging Hockey5s talent.
For South African hockey, this is more than a team announcement. It is the beginning of a new chapter in the international development of the sport, with school hockey talent taking centre stage at the first-ever edition of a global competition dedicated to the next generation.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) recently announced the launch of the Youth Hockey5s World Cup, creating an exciting new platform for young players to compete internationally and showcase their skills.
Alongside the competition, athletes and team officials will participate in developmental and educational programmes inspired by the Youth Olympic Games framework, supporting learning, leadership and personal growth beyond the playing field.
At the heart of this historic achievement is the strength of South African school sport.
Schools provide far more than a place to play: they are environments where talent is discovered, discipline is developed, character is tested and sporting ambitions begin to take shape.
Through dedicated coaches, committed teachers, competitive school fixtures and high-performance development pathways, young athletes are given the opportunity to grow, improve and pursue their dreams.
The selection of these 20 learners is a powerful demonstration of that impact. Each player has earned the opportunity through talent, determination and hard work, supported by school communities that continue to play an indispensable role in the development of South African sport.
For SuperSport Schools, the achievement represents everything that makes school sport so important: the discovery of exceptional young talent, the creation of opportunities to compete at the highest level and the chance to inspire thousands of other learners to believe in what is possible.
Teams
U18 Boys Hockey5s Squad
Morero Gumbi (Pretoria Boys High School), Hoosen Jabbar (Parktown Boys’ High School), Caleb Cilliers (Paul Roos Gymnasium), Luc Boyall (Northwood School), Kamohelo Tsoka (King Edward VII School),Kade Lottering (Jeppe High School for Boys), Stephan Malan (Parel Vallei High School), Martin de Bruyn (Paarl Boys’ High School), Kean Cornelissen (Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool), Jay-Dee Carolus (Krugersdorp High School).
U18 Girls Hockey5s Squad
Ziyanda Mchunu (St Mary’s DSG, Kloof), Annika Kloppers (Hoërskool Menlopark),Codie Bestbier (Danville Park Girls’ High School), Claire Volschenk (Eunice High School), Asanele Zuma (Durban Girls’ College), Lucy Holderness (DSG Makhanda), Martina Jonker (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), Azania Petersen (St Andrew’s School for Girls), Xylia Choene (Oranje Meisieskool), Kiyara Constable (Pearson High School).