More than a week after South Africa’s men’s Proteas had made history by becoming the first team from the country to win a medal on the global stage, a bronze at the FIH Indoor World Cup, player of the tournament Mustapha Cassiem was still allowing himself to absorb the enormity of the achievement, writes MARK LEMKE.
“It really has not sunk in yet, but it does feel amazing. It is definitely one of the highlights of my life. We had set ourselves a goal of winning a medal and I am very proud of how the team came together,” Mustapha, the younger brother of South African captain Dayaan, said from Europe where he is preparing for the upcoming season with Amsterdam Hockey Club.
The 22-year-old Mustapha was named Young Player of the Tournament in 2023, where the Proteas exited at the hands of the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. This 2025 edition, in Prorec, Croatia, they lost to Germany in the semi-finals, but won the bronze medal match with a 6-5 victory over Belgium.
Cassiem’s 17 goals upped his career tally to 118 goals in 47 indoor matches for South Africa. However, he was quick to point to the unshakeable team spirit under his brother’s captaincy, as the main force behind the success.
“The achievement of the team is so special and the award is a privilege, because you work hard and you put in the hours so that outcome is really rewarding. Without the team it would not have been possible. It takes a group effort to achieve this, and the standout performance is made special through the team.”
Mustapha debuted for South Africa in 2020 whilst in his final year of school at Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town. Since that debut he has earned 58 caps for South Africa’s outdoor side, to make it a total of 106 outdoors and indoors.
What did it take for him to maintain this rapid rise to stardom?
“Having an opportunity to go to a good school where hockey was something you trained all week, and played against the best schools in the country on weekends, was a great foundation. I played rugby and cricket, and I enjoyed that, but I wanted to achieve in hockey and play for my country. I knew that I had to invest in putting hours in the gym and take all the extra steps needed.
“Covid-19 was a really important part in it, because pre-Covid, I really relied on my talents and going through the motions. During the pandemic, I had time to sit down and reflect on what I want. I could either decide I’m not going to take it further or I’m going to stay fit and do what I can to reach my goal. After my debut for South Africa in 2020, I knew this was my path. With the help of my family, I was able to carry on my journey.”
Cassiem now has his sights set on next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a third Olympics with Team SA, at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, when he will still only be 26.
