SPAR South Africa name squad for Nkosi Cup Title Defence

South African Hockey has named the 12 player SPAR South Africa Women’s Indoor Hockey squad that will defend its Nkosi Cup title at Wynberg Military Base Stadium in Cape Town from 10 to 15 December 2026. Amber Fairon and Aphiwe Dimba are in line to make their international indoor debuts on home soil.

The Nkosi Cup began at Wynberg in 2023, when South African Hockey and Pro Series Indoor launched the tournament following the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Pretoria. Three teams contested the inaugural women’s competition. Namibia beat South Africa 4–2 in that first final and retained the title with a 3–1 win over the hosts in 2024. The women’s field has grown to seven teams for this year’s fourth edition.

South Africa broke through in 2025, beating Namibia 5–3 in the semi-final before edging Australia 4–3 in front of a packed Wynberg crowd to lift the trophy for the first time. Five players from this year’s squad had a direct hand in that run. Jessica Lardant scored in the semi-final, Edith Molikoe, Tatum Kroutz and Malikah Hamza all scored in the final, and goalkeeper Sarah Paget was named player of the match. Hamza also finished as the tournament’s top scorer and was named its best player.

The rivalry with Namibia has produced another close chapter since then. In October, South Africa came back from two Tests down to share the five match series in Windhoek. Tegan Fourie completed her hat-trick with a 39th minute equaliser in the final Test to earn a 4–4 draw.

South Africa open their title defence against Zimbabwe at 11:20 on Thursday, 10 December,before facing Ireland at 20:00 that evening. Australia, Malaysia, Namibia and New Zealand complete the women’s field.

SPAR South Africa Women’s Indoor Hockey Squad – Nkosi Cup 2026

* In line to make her international indoor debut.