Testing time for national hockey team

The South African national men's hockey team will play four Tests in Durban over the next six days when they host Great Britain and Canada at Queensmead Stadium.

With the Olympics just eight months away, preparations for the quadrennial showpiece have began in earnest.

The South African men have a bumper year and after the friendly games against the British and Canadians, Gregg Clark's charges head to Potchefstroom where they will host the world's top countries when Germany, Australia, Holland and Spain tour the country.

"We have a very good idea about which players we intend taking to the Olympic Games, but we are going to use these Tests to give a few fringe players an opportunity to put their hands up for selection," said Clark.

Speaking about the opposition, Clark expected tough challenges from both Great Britain the relatively unknown Canadians.

"Great Britain will be using the Tests to prepare for an Olympic qualifier they have coming up.

"Since this is an Olympic year, they will be playing with players from all over the United Kingdom, although the bulk of the side will come from England with one or two Scottish players," Clark said.

Qualified

The Canooks on the other hand have already qualified for Beijing after winning the Pan American qualifiers when they downed the highly rated Argentina.

Clark confirmed that the South Africans will not be underestimating the challenge the maple leaves pose and said:

"They did well to beat Argentina and will be at the Olympics so we certainly know what they are capable of."

South African Hockey Association (SAHA) president Dave Carr explained that the Tests would not be played in a triangular competition with a log.

"This is not a competition with a log. They are just Test matches and will be recognised as internationals," said Carr.

Test Series Programme

Friday: SA v Canada, 6pm

Saturday: SA v GB, 4pm

Sunday: GB v Canada, 4pm

Monday: SA v Canada, 6pm

Tuesday: SA v GB, 6pm

Wednesday: GB v Canada, 6pm