SA u17 teams and fixtures for the 2025 Dato Mirnawan Cup
The South African national u17 boys’ and girls’ hockey teams will go in search of their maiden titles at the Dato Mirnawan u17 Cup in Malaysia early next month.
It’s the fourth edition of the annual tournament, and it runs from 1 to 10 November in Kuala Lumpur. South African teams have been part of the event since 2023.
Last year, the boys’ side finished in fifth place, while the girls clinched fourth after losing 3-4 against South Korea in the bronze medal showdown.
In 2023, the South African boys finished as the runner-up, while the girls placed fourth.
Twelve months later, the squads are almost completely different.
For a third year in succession, the boys’ 18-player squad will be coached Justin Collins, of Northwood. He’ll be assisted by Michael Abrahams, from Collegiate Girls’ High, in Gqeberha.
The coaching staff also includes strength and conditioning coach Albertus van Heerden, from King Edward VII (KES).
Westville Boys’ High head coach, Cameron Mackey, will serve as the video analyst, while Pius Nkosi takes on the managerial responsibilities, and Wayne Marsden is the South African Schools Hockey (SASHOC) delegate.
There’s a new coach at the helm of the girls’ team, with Natalie Esteves, from St Cyprian’s School, taking over the reins from Omari Pienaar-Geyer, who was in charge in 2023 and 2024.
Esteves, who led the Western Province u18A girls’ team to a bronze medal at the SASHOC National Week, will be assisted by Nolwazi Nkabinde, from St Mary’s DSG, Kloof.
Former SA u21 player, Danielle Cairns, who plies her trade at Kearsney College, will be the strength and conditioning coach.
TEAMS
Boys
Marley Musasa, Daniel Fisher (both Rondebosch Boys’ High and Western Province), Viwe Ndlovu, Andile Lembethe (both Maritzburg College and KZN Inland), Ruben Gouws, Logan Lackey (both Paul Roos Gimnasium and Boland), Cameron Cordeiro, Chavez Sanger, Mohlodi Maseko (all SACS and Western Province), Keegan de Jager (Kearsney College, KZN Coastal), Jacques van Dyk (Stellenberg High, Western Province), Liam Brooker (Pretoria Boys High, Northern Gauteng), Thandanani Zuma (Michaelhouse, KZN Inland), Matteo Stipcevich (St David’s Marist Inanda, Southern Gauteng), Neilyandro van Schalkwyk (Grey College, Southern Free State), Ryan Groenewald (Fairmont High, Western Province), Chad Julius (Wynberg Boys’ High, Western Province), Martin de Bruyn (Paarl Boys’ High, Boland).
Girls
Annika Kloppers (Die Hoërskool Menlopark, Northern Gauteng), Peyton Marais (Curro Durbanville, Western Province), Timari Jonker (Potchefstroom Gimnasium, North West), Jamie da Silva, Ella Bowyer (both St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, KZN Coastal), Zezethu Kunene (Maris Stella, KZN Coastal), Raffael Abrahams (Steyn City School, Southern Gauteng), Holly Hofmeyr (St Anne’s Diocesan College, KZN Inland), Xylia Choene (Oranje, Southern Free State), Claire Volschenk (Eunice, Southern Free State), Azania Petersen (St Andrew’s School For Girls, Southern Gauteng), Siphiwe Thwala (Middelburg High School, Mpumalanga), Busiwe Mayekiso (Hudson Park High, Border), Katherine Sickle (Rhenish Girls’ High, Boland), Emihle Wulana (Parel Vallei, Boland), Jemma Ferreira (St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, Eastern Gauteng), Anjun Kazie (Milnerton High, Western Province), Amogelang Motlatle (Curro Hazeldean, Northern Gauteng).
BOYS’ FIXTURES
Note*: Fixtures are in South African Standard Time.
2 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Australia Crocs
3 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Malaysia Tigers
5 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Malaysia Speedy
6 November
10:00 – South Africa vs Queensland (Australia)
8 November
10:00 – South Africa vs Japan
GIRLS’ FIXTURES
2 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Queensland (Australia)
3 November
10:00 – South Africa vs Australia Crocs
6 November
12:00 – South Africa vs Malaysia Tigers
8 November
10:00 – South Africa vs Japan
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