The national squad begins its first camp of the year with preparations intensifying in Cape Town as the squad gears up to face Olympic Champions Netherlands.
Cape Town, South Africa (16 January 2026) – The South African Hockey Men are wasting no time as they turn their attention firmly toward World Cup preparation, opening their first national training camp of 2026 this Sunday in Cape Town. The camp marks the beginning of an important phase for the squad as they build on recent success and sharpen their edge against top international opposition.
Adding extra excitement to the camp, South Africa will face reigning Olympic champions, the Netherlands, in two high-profile matches. The fixtures will offer a valuable benchmark for the squad as they test combinations, intensity and tactical execution against one of the world’s strongest hockey nations.
This latest camp comes at a time when confidence within South African hockey is high. Finals Day at the 2025 Nkosi Cup delivered a powerful statement, with both the men’s and women’s indoor teams rising to the occasion in front of a packed Wynberg Military Base.
The South African Indoor Hockey Men, in particular, showed no signs of slowing down. The team produced a dominant performance that turned the final into a spectacle. Their campaign not only delivered silverware, but also secured qualification for the 2026 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, set to be hosted in Belgium and the Netherlands.
That same winning mentality now carries over into the outdoor setup, where preparation, continuity and high-level exposure are key.
As the Hockey Men begin their 2026 journey, the groundwork has been laid, the momentum is on a high and South African hockey is preparing to take its next step on the world stage.
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