The inaugural FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2, scheduled for 16 to 22 June 2025, in Wałcz, Poland, presents a momentous opportunity for South African women’s hockey in a tournament designed to elevate emerging national teams, offering a direct pathway to the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and, critically, a route to the elite FIH Hockey Pro League.
The tournament’s structure ensures that each team will engage in extensive play, allowing them to prove their skills and test strategies against diverse international styles, and South Africa was drawn in Pool A, alongside Malaysia, hosts Poland, and South America’s Uruguay.
Pool B will see Czechia take on France, Italy, and Wales to determine their two semi-finalists to qualify for the knockout rounds, at the completion of the round-robin fixtures on Thursday, 19 June.
This comprehensive format is particularly beneficial for the South African squad, providing invaluable international exposure and a chance to assess their tactical frameworks in a high-stakes environment.
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Head Coach Inky Zondi will lead a team that is a calculated mix of seasoned internationals and promising new talent, with the inclusion of Paris 2024 Olympians such as Edith Molikoe, Hannah Pearce, Ntsopa Mokoena, Onthatile Zulu, and Ongeziwe Mali, who bring a wealth of high-level experience and competitive mettle to the squad.
Complementing this Olympic core are accomplished players like Tegan Fourie and Cailynn den Bakker, who showcased their skills at the FIH Indoor World Cup, alongside Daniella de Oliveira and Kayla de Waal, who were also part of that Indoor World Cup campaign.
The tournament’s promotion mechanism allows the victors to secure a coveted spot in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2026, and with it a direct qualification route to the FIH Hockey Pro League hosting the world’s premier hockey nations, where participation guarantees consistent, high-intensity competition against elite teams.
For South Africa, the exposure to top-tier international hockey will sharpen the players’ skill sets as they engage with the world’s best, an experience indispensable for individual player development, and for forging a stronger, more cohesive team among them.
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Should they manage to make dreams into reality, the FIH Hockey Pro League offers greater financial incentives and comprehensive support compared to lower-tier competitions, enabling superior training camps, access to advanced sports science and medical support, and a more professional environment for the team as a whole.
The journey to promotion will undoubtedly present considerable challenges, with each of the participating teams vying for the same coveted promotion spot, and South Africa will need to exhibit exceptional performance and unwavering resolve to emerge victorious.
The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Inky Zondi, will be instrumental in analysing opponents, devising effective game plans, and galvanising the players to achieve peak performance.
For the women representing the nation in Poland, this tournament is not merely about achieving victory; it is about constructing a robust foundation for the future of women’s hockey, inspiring a new generation of athletes, and showcasing the well-regarded talent and resilience of South African sportswomen on the global stage.
Fixtures for the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2 Poland 2024-2025 in Wałcz, Poland
Mon 16 Jun 2025 (12:00): Italy vs Wales
Mon 16 Jun 2025 (14:00): France vs Czechia
Mon 16 Jun 2025 (16:00): South Africa vs Uruguay
Mon 16 Jun 2025 (18:00): Malaysia vs Poland
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (12:00): Wales vs Czechia
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (14:00): France vs Italy
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (16:00): Malaysia vs South Africa
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (18:00): Uruguay vs Poland
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (12:00): Italy vs Czechia
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (14:00): Wales vs France
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (16:00): Uruguay vs Malaysia
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (18:00): South Africa vs Poland
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (12:00): 5th-8th
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (14:15): 5th-8th
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (16:30): Semi-Final I
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (18:45): Semi-Final 2
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (12:00): 7th-8th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (14:15): 5th-6th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (16:30): 3rd-4th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (18:45): FINAL
SA Women’s Squad – FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 (Name, Caps)
Aphiwe Dimba (15)
Cailynn Den Bakker (15)
Cerian Fourie (0)
Charné Maddocks (21)
Danielia de Oliveira (0)
Edith Molikoe (42)
Hannah Pearce (49)
Jean-Leigh du Toit (34)
Kayla de Waal (28)
Lerato Mahole (10)
Marlise van Tonder (36)
Ntsopa Mokoena (34)
Ongeziwe Mali (38)
Onthatile Zulu (64)
Quanita Bobbs (180)
Shanna Mendonca (0)
Stephanie Botha (38)
Tegan Fourie (18)
Pool A
Malaysia
Poland
South Africa
Uruguay
Pool B
Czechia
France
Italy
Wales
Main Photo Caption: The inaugural FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2, scheduled for 16 to 22 June 2025, in Wałcz, Poland, presents a momentous opportunity for SA women’s hockey team in a tournament offering a pathway to the top-tier FIH competitions. Photo: FIH
