Hockey in South Africa
RSA
FIH Rankings
Continental king, global underdog: South African hockey
— CULTSouth African hockey carries the dual face of a sport with a rich tradition and structural financial challenges. SA Hockey coordinates the national programme within a sports system that has had to transform towards an inclusive model since the post-apartheid era. The South African Hockey League and the university circuit, particularly in Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Pretoria, form the supporting foundation for the national team.
What systemically sets South Africa apart is the combination of continental dominance and global under-funding. The team has structurally won the Africa Cup of Nations for decades, supplying Africa's World Cup representative, but financially has to give way to European and Asian competitors where players are full-time professionals. Many South African internationals therefore play in the Dutch Hoofdklasse, the English Premier Division or the German Bundesliga to develop their level further and secure a base income.
Under head coach Giles Bonnet, an ex-international and strategic thinker, South Africa is building a team that wants to be more than a participant at the 2026 World Cup - that wants to take points off the established order. Forward Quanita Bobbs combines speed with circle efficiency, goalkeeper Kelly Madsen is one of the most experienced shot stoppers in the tournament. Qualification was achieved via the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where South Africa took the African title as expected and qualified as the only African representative for the World Cup.
Everything you want to know about hockey in South Africa
— LAYERSNational Hockey Federation
website: September 2026
The latest news
- Calling additional applications for the SA Hockey Senior National Roles
- South Africa Under 21 Men’s Training Squad Announced
- South Africa Under 21 Women’s Training Squad Announced
- Vote for Kenton Melville’s sensational Bicycle stick goal for the Poligras Magic Skill Award
- SG Nuggets and North West B Crowned Champions After Dramatic Finals Day
National men's team
ranked 13 FIHA federation with no money, a coach who did not ask for the job, and yet a team that in June 2026 knocked out the defending champions on home soil and only fell short in the final. South Africa travels to Wavre as the lowest-ranked side of a brutal pool, carrying there the weight of two brothers from Mitchells Plain: captain Dayaan Cassiem and his younger brother Mustapha, the most dynamic hockey player the country has ever produced.
Their father was never allowed to play for South Africa under apartheid. His sons now do, taking a team full of school talent and provincial breakthrough players along in their wake. Read in the full dossier why the AmaStokke could be the World Cup's most dangerous outsider, where their limit lies, and what happens when the stars briefly fall away.
National women's team
ranked 18 FIHThe South African team represents Africa as the only participant at the 2026 World Cup. Under head coach Giles Bonnet the team plays an organised defensive game with quick transitions through Quanita Bobbs, complemented by the experience of goalkeeper Kelly Madsen. Many players combine the national team with club hockey in European top leagues.
What sets South Africa apart is the contrast between continental dominance and global underdog status. At the 2026 World Cup South Africa sits in Pool D in Amstelveen against China, England and India. The ambition is realistic: pick up at least one point and prove they are more than continental champions.
National club competition
FIH certified hockey fields
15 certifiedCategory 2
6 certifiedFields for international and top-level national competitions.
- Hartleyvale Hockey Stadium, Cape TownGreenfieldsGreenfields TX Pro Plus (v2.0) EL 15Valid until: Oct 6, 2027
- NWU Vaal Campus, GautengCCGrassFastPro HF13-BF + Insitu 15mmValid until: Feb 26, 2029
- UJ Astro Hockey Facility, JohannesburgGreenfieldsGreenfields TX Pro Plus (v2.0) EL 15Valid until: Oct 7, 2027
- Wits University Campus, JohannesburgGreenfieldsGreenfields TX Pro Plus (v2.0) EL15Valid until: May 20, 2029
- Curro Klerksdorp, KlerksdorpCCGrassFastPro HF13-BF + Insitu 15mmValid until: Feb 25, 2029
- Paul Roos Gymnasium, KrigevilleCCGrassFASTPRO HF13-BR+INSITU 15MM
Category 3
7 certifiedFields for lower-level national, regional and club play.
- Parklands College - Pitch 1, Cape TownCCGrassFastPro HF 18 EF10Valid until: Jun 24, 2028
- Parklands College - Pitch 2, Cape TownCCGrassFastPro HF 18 EF10Valid until: Jun 24, 2028
- Waterstone High School, Johannesburg SouthQingdao BellinTurf IndustrialBELLIN HOCKEY SUPREME 18 IN
- Curro Grantleigh, Kwazulu NatalCCGrassFastPro HF18 + Insitu 15Valid until: Feb 23, 2029
- Curro Hazeldean High School, PretoriaCCGrassFastPro HF18 + Insitu 15Valid until: Feb 23, 2029
- Curro Nelspruit, ReitzBellinturfBellin Hockey Supreme 18 InValid until: Feb 24, 2029
- Curro Vanderbijpark, VanderbijlparkQingdao BellinTurf IndustrialBELLIN HOCKEY SUPREME 18 IN
Dry Turf field
2 certifiedFields with enhanced playing qualities without water, used for national and local competitions.
- St Andrew’s School, BloemfonteinPolytanPoligras Paris GT Zero 11-43 MB PFT 6Valid until: Feb 27, 2027
- Lichtenburg High School, LichtenburgPolytanPoligras Paris GT Zero 11-43 MB EL10Valid until: Jul 12, 2028
Coaches
Coming soon
Referees
Coming soon
South Africa hockey teams at the FIH WC 2026
— WK26Amstelveen, Nederland
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHN | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 7 |
| 2 | IND | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 5 |
| 3 | ENG | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 4 |
| 4 | RSA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 15 | -13 | 0 |
South Africa finished 4th in Pool D and play in Pool G in phase 2. Their new opponents come from Pool A: Japan (3rd) and Chile (4th). Pool rival England (3rd in Pool D) is also in Pool G; that match was already played in phase 1. Pool G competes for places 9 to 16.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ENG | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 9 |
| 2 | JPN | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 | RSA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 4 |
| 4 | CHI | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 0 |
Knockout phase
Wavre, België
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AUS | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 |
| 2 | ESP | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | IRL | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | RSA | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 1 |
South Africa finished 4th in Pool C and play in Pool H in phase 2. Their new opponents come from Pool B: France (3rd) and Malaysia (4th). Pool rival Ireland (3rd in Pool C) is also in Pool H; that match was already played in phase 1. Pool H competes for places 9 to 16.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IRL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | RSA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 4 |
| 3 | FRA | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 4 |
| 4 | MAS | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 2 |
Knockout phase
Historical highlights South Africa
— HIST1924
Founding member of the FIH
South Africa is one of the founding members of the international hockey federation.
1964
International sporting isolation
Because of apartheid, South Africa is banned from international hockey.
1993
Readmission
After almost thirty years of exclusion, South Africa returns to international hockey.
1998
World Cup Utrecht: seventh place
Seventh place at the World Cup in Utrecht, still the best World Cup ranking ever.
2002
World Cup Perth
Thirteenth place at the World Cup in Perth.
2006
World Cup Madrid
Twelfth place at the World Cup in Madrid.
2010
World Cup Rosario
Tenth place at the World Cup in Rosario.
2014
World Cup The Hague: 4-1 against England
Ninth place; South Africa beats third seed England 4-1 in the group stage.
2018
World Cup London
Fifteenth place at the World Cup in London.
2022
World Cup Terrassa and Amstelveen
Fifteenth place at the World Cup in Spain and the Netherlands.
2024
Olympic Games Paris: eleventh
Eleventh place at the Olympic Games, with only France finishing behind them.
2025
Eighth African title
In Ismailia, South Africa claims its eighth consecutive Africa Cup of Nations title and qualifies for the 2026 World Cup.
2026
Eighth World Cup appearance
Eighth World Cup appearance, drawn into a very tough Group D in Amstelveen against China, England and India.
2026
World Cup 2026
Women: 14th place. Men: 12th place.