Gqeberha star Sachin Padayachee is set to shine again as he rejoins the SA Under 21 squad to defend their Interprovincial Tournament crown in Cape Town.
Gqeberha, South Africa (16 July 2025) – Gqeberha’s very own rising hockey talent, Sachin Padayachee, is all set to make his return to the South African U21 side, and he can’t wait to see how far he has come in this past year.
The 21-year-old Madibaz player is gearing up for the 2025 Interprovincial Tournament (IPT), which kicks off in Cape Town on 28 July. As the top-tier competition in the country, the IPT promises tough battles, and Sachin is ready to embrace the challenge.
Coming off a stellar 2024, Sachin made waves as part of the national senior side that pulled off a surprise victory at the senior IPT, a result that had many raising their eyebrows. Just a few months ago, he and his fellow SA U21 teammates clinched gold at the Junior Africa Cup in Namibia. The tournament, delayed from December, finally happened in April, and the team made the wait worthwhile.
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Reflecting on his journey, Sachin credits top-level exposure for his development.
“My game has grown a lot over the last year as I’ve learnt more about the sport through those high-level tournaments,” said the third-year sport management student at Mandela University.
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For Sachin, it’s all about discipline and attention to detail.
“It’s really about doing the little things well during a match. We follow an intense fitness programme at Madibaz and that’s made a real difference.”
Even though he’s worn the national colours before, the thrill never fades.
“There’s always excitement when it comes to pushing for more. I’m really looking forward to contributing to the national team again.”
Sachin knows defending the title will not be easy, but he is not phased.
“Defending the IPT title will be tough, but we’re always up for a challenge. We know how to come together when it counts.”
Winning the Junior Africa Cup remains his standout moment.
“Representing my country was a once in a lifetime experience. It was an honour and blessing and going unbeaten made it even more memorable.”
Recently, Sachin helped the Madibaz side reach the semi-finals at the USSA tournament in Stellenbosch. A big moment as it marked the team’s return to the A section after being relegated in 2022.
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