The South African under-17 boys’ hockey team is gearing up to take part in the third edition of the Dato Mirnawan Cup in Malaysia over the coming week.
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The tournament, which is hosted by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation, will be played in Kuala Lumpur and is scheduled to run from 1-10 November.
It will be the second time that a South African team contests the event after last year's crop of players won silver medals after losing 3-4 to India in the final.
For a second year running, the team will be coached by Northwood's Justin Collins, while the captain will be SACS dangerman Reece Theunis.
It's an 18-player squad filled with talent from across the country, with a variety of provinces represented.
Eastern Province boast five players, including three - Dante Elkington, goalkeeper Kaino Broadhurst, and Keegan Le Roux - from Grey High School.
Chulumanco Mkontwana, who shone for Pearson High this past season, also earned himself a spot in the team along with Gregory Rodwell, from St Andrew's College.
The Western Province representatives are the SACS' trio of Josh Le Roux, Mohlodi Maseko and Theunis, who are joined by Callum Anderson, from Bishops.
Boland won the Under-16 SASHOC National Week in the mid-year holidays, and three players who were part of that winning team - Logan Lackay (Paul Roos), Tylor Carter (Paul Roos), and Stephan Malan (Parel Vallei) - will also jet off to Malaysia.
They will be joined by the experienced Christo Swanepoel, also from Paul Roos Gimnasium, who was called up to replace Litha Kraai after his selection for the SA Men's Indoor World Cup squad.
The rest of the side is made up of three KwaZulu-Natal players: Coastal's Christopher Abrahams, from Durban High School (DHS), and Ryde Brisset, from Clifton College, were included along with Maritzburg College's Siwaphiwe Sithembu, who was in top form for the KZN Inland side at the SASHOC National Week.
Jeppe's Juan Martin (Southern Gauteng) and Pretoria Boys High's Victor Louw (Northern Tigers) complete the squad.
'RAW TALENT AND SKILLED PLAYERS'
Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the tournament, skipper Reece Theunis said he was looking forward to leading his team on the world stage, despite the limited time they have had to train as a unit.
"Training in a centralised area with the whole team would be the most ideal situation, but being in different cities, it is tough," he said.
"We will have to create that team culture and chemistry. Other than that, our team is looking extremely strong, with a lot of raw talent shown, and skilled players among the boys.
"It will be my first time playing with most of the boys in the team, so I'm quite excited to see how we will get on."
Theunis, who won the Under-18 SASHOC National Week title with Western Province, is the only player remaining from last year's silver medal-winning team.
He said he's picked up lessons from last year's campaign and that experience should serve him well in Malaysia.
"The tour is a big step up from provincial hockey to international hockey, as the game is much quicker and has an even smaller margin for error.
"Personally, I struggled with emotions on the field last year and this year, but with the help of many people, I have learnt how to deal with my emotions much better," he admitted.
"Going to Malaysia, I am more than prepared for this and am very thankful for those who have helped me overcome this."
Theunis said he understands the responsibility that comes with wearing the captain's armband for his country.
'NOT THERE TO MAKE UP THE NUMBERS'
South Africa open their account on Sunday, 3 November, against Canada before taking on South Korea the following day.
They play their final Group A game on Tuesday, 5 November, against the Malaysia Tigers.
Theunis insisted that the South African team is not going to Malaysia to make up the numbers, They intend to challenge for the title.
"Obviously, as a team, we are going to Malaysia to go unbeaten and to get that gold medal around our necks.
"We want to show the world that South Africa have that fighting spirit and will compete against every team that we face," he said.
SOUTH AFRICA U17 SQUAD
Kaino Broadhurst, Chulumanco Mkontwana, Keegan le Roux, Gregory Rodwell, Dante Elkington (all Eastern Province), Joshua le Roux, Mohlodi Maseko, Callum Anderson, Reece Theunis (all Western Province), Logan Lackay, Stephan Malan, Tylor Carter, Christo Swanepoel (all Boland), Ryde Brisset, Christopher Abrahams (KZN Coastal), Siwaphiwe Sithembu (KZN Inland), Juan Martin (Southern Gauteng), Victor Louw (Northern Tigers).
STAFF
Manager: Jason Syce
Head Coach: Justin Collins
Assistant Coach: Lance Louw
Physio: Keagan Lailvaux
Video Analyst: Keegan Pearce
GROUP FIXTURES
3 November
4pm - South Africa v Canada
4 November
4pm - South Africa v Korea
5 November
8pm- South Africa v Malaysia Tigers