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SA Hockey Teams Ready for 2026 FIH World Cup
The wait is finally over. Tomorrow, the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup officially gets underway, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Running from August 15 to August 30, the tournament will see the world’s elite battle it out on the turf, and both our South African Men’s and Women’s national teams are gearing up to make the nation proud.
Here is everything you need to know about the Proteas’ form, their recent milestones, and when they will be taking to the field over the coming weeks. afrikasportnews.co.za
SA Men: Resilience and Momentum
The South African Men’s team arrives in Europe battle-tested and hungry to prove themselves against the world’s heavyweights in Pool C.
Their preparation has been defined by a mix of heartbreak and triumph on home soil. Earlier this year in Cape Town, the men captivated a sold-out Hartleyvale Stadium in the FIH Nations Cup final against France. Despite a valiant, breathless final-quarter surge and a brilliant field goal by Samkelo Mvimbi, the team narrowly fell 2-1 to Les Bleus, just missing out on Pro League promotion.
However, they quickly bounced back. In a recent warm-up series in Durban, the men showcased their attacking firepower by securing a decisive series win over Malaysia, putting them in top gear ahead of their World Cup campaign.
Men's Pool C Fixtures
South Africa is drawn in a challenging Pool C alongside hockey powerhouses Australia, Spain, and Ireland.
SA Women: Finding the Winning Formula
The South African Women’s team heads into the World Cup looking to upset the odds in Pool D, where they will face formidable opponents in England, India, and China.
Their build-up to the World Cup has been a tale of growing confidence and tactical refinement. Playing in Cape Town, the women’s side delivered a ruthless, clean-sweep series victory over neighbours Namibia, thoroughly dominating possession and circle entries across the matches.
They followed this up with a highly competitive two-test series against Scotland. After a sluggish start in the opening test resulted in a 2-0 defeat, the Proteas showed incredible character in the second match, overturning the deficit to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory. That resilience will be exactly what they need as they navigate the group stages in the Netherlands.
Women’s Pool D Fixtures
The women will play all of their group stage matches at the iconic Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen.
With both sides displaying real grit and goal-scoring capability in their respective warm-up campaigns, the South African sporting public has plenty of reason to rally behind the green and gold. Whether it’s the men attempting to outpace Australia, or the women looking to stun England, the next two weeks promise top-tier international hockey action.
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The post SA Hockey Teams Ready for 2026 FIH World Cup appeared first on South Africa Sports News and Blog Site | South Africa Sport.
Guinée-Bissau: le projet de Constitution renforçant les pouvoirs du président ne fait pas l'unanimité
À Bissau, les autorités de la Transition ont présenté ce 12 août la nouvelle Constitution, qui sera soumise à référendum le 30 août. Présenté par le président du Conseil national de la Transition devant des dirigeants, diplomates et représentants de la société civile, le texte entend « clarifier les équilibres du pouvoir ». Mais dans les faits, il prévoit de remplacer le régime semi-parlementaire par un régime présidentiel fort, renforçant ainsi les pouvoirs du chef de l’État.
Rieko has ‘realistic’ chance of tackling Boks
Highlighting his versatility for the All Blacks, coach Dave Rennie backs Rieko Ioane on Saturday to rip into the Vodacom Bulls and stake a claim for a Test spot next week.
Ioane, who has 88 caps for New Zealand, started on the wing against the Stormers last week but will run out at outside centre for the Loftus Versfeld clash.
The 29-year-old starred with a try in Cape Town, proving his worth after being omitted from Rennie’s first squad of 2026 following a sabbatical at Leinster.
Rennie admits Ioane’s expertise and adaptability makes him a contender for the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks next Saturday.
ALSO: All Blacks shed light on crocked stars
“I didn’t have much to do with Rieko prior to him going, but he’s been excellent since he’s come in. He’s been dynamic with the ball in hand,” the Kiwi boss said.
“He had a few issues under the high ball, which won’t be an issue as a midfielder, and he’s contributing on defence. Having a player who’s played as many Tests as he has brings a lot of experience.
“No doubt he’ll be trying to stake a claim for a Test spot next week.
“Primarily, we brought him over with the thinking that he’s a winger who could cover centre, and now he’s probably going to be a centre,” he added.
“He’s just realistic that wherever the opportunity lies, he gets to play.”
MORE: Rennie reveals Richie return plan
On the broader selection picture, Rennie said Saturday’s match against the Bulls could sway his thinking for the Bok showdown.
“You always go into the week with a group of guys in mind, but there are a number of spots where performances this weekend could tilt our thinking,” the coach noted.
“The side we’re playing against the Bulls will be quite different to the first Test team, but there’ll be a number of guys against the Bulls who will back up again.
“Even looking at our wingers, there are some tough decisions there as well. That’s what you want. The job of the players playing this weekend is to apply pressure.”
MALLETT: Bulls will play for coach, fans
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Rieko has ‘realistic’ chance of tackling Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Burkina Faso: plusieurs personnalités devront répondre d'assassinat dans l'affaire Norbert Zongo
Au Burkina Faso, nouveau développement dans l’affaire Norbert Zongo, du nom de ce journaliste d’investigation assassiné le 13 décembre 1998 avec trois de ses compagnons alors qu’il enquêtait sur la mort suspecte du chauffeur du petit frère de l’ancien président Blaise Compaoré. Dans un communiqué, le procureur général près la cour d’appel d Ouagadougou informe que trois personnes, dont François Compaoré, le frère cadet de l’ex-président Blaise Compaoré devront comparaitre devant le tribunal pour répondre des faits d’assassinat, de destruction volontaire aggravées de biens et de complicité d’assassinat. Mais un avocat d’un des accusés a déposé un recours contre l’arrêt de la chambre d’instruction, entrainant un report de l’ouverture du procès.
'I hope you're not sick of my face' - Hunt wants more after 200m gold
Great Britain's Amy Hunt reacts to taking her second gold of the 2026 European Athletics Championships by winning the women's 200m, but stresses that "it's not over yet" as she looks forward to the sprint relays.Great Britain's Amy Hunt reacts to taking her second gold of the 2026 European Athletics Championships by winning the women's 200m, but stresses that "it's not over yet" as she looks forward to the sprint relays.