2 former George hockey players in SA team

GEORGE NEWS - Two youngsters who began their hockey careers at Holy Cross Primary in George are making their mark in international hockey. Both Leruo Ditlhakanyane and Zeke Hougaard were selected for the South African u.21 men's hockey team that last week, 12 to19 March, won gold at the 2023 Hockey Junior Africa Cup in Egypt.

They will now be representing South Africa at the World Cup in December in Malaysia.

The two talented youngsters are believed to be the first 17-year-old schoolboys to have ever been chosen for the SA u.21 team.

"It has been a dream and honour and privilege to play and represent the country at our age. The Africa Cup was an amazing and humbling experience and we have made wonderful friends and team mates," a very satisfied Zeke told George Herald.

He currently plays first team midfielder at Paul Roos Gymnasium and for Boland u.18A, while Leruo is midfielder for the u.18 first team at Durban High School and for KZN Coastals u.18A. They also represented their respective provinces in the u.18A section of the 2022 Interprovincial Tournament in Stellenbosch last year.

Both boys have been playing since Grade 1 and were coached by Sheldon Puttick at Holy Cross Primary. As previously reported by George Herald, he encouraged hard work, dedication, sportsmanship, goal setting and above all, a sincere love of the game.

Leruo Ditlhakanyane in action.

Leruo says be began playing because he had to be involved in extramural activities. "I took part in hockey, cricket and rugby, but as time went by, I fell in love with hockey and excelled from one level to the next."

During a 2018 national schools tournament he was spotted by Durban Boys High in KZN, who offered him a scholarship. He captained the KZN u.14s and is now captain of Durban High's first team. He is in matric.

Leruo was also selected for the Pro Series Indoor (PSI) schools tournaments, the PSI National Hockey Tournament, and the PSI Africa Stars team that toured the Netherlands and Germany in January this year. In the same month, he was invited to the u.21 men's hockey camp in Pretoria, where he was selected for the SA u.21 men's hockey team.

"It is a great honour for me to be playing for my country. I give honour to the Almighty God for this talent and I would like to thank my coaches at Holy Cross Primary for recognising my talent, and also SWD for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talent. Most importantly, I thank Durban Boys High for the opportunity to grow to where I am now."

Leruo has set himself the goal of playing hockey internationally and even making a career out of it. "I just love hockey and the thrill of it."

His mom and dad, Sam and Precious, live in George and are extremely proud of him.

Zeke Hougaard (right) in action.

Loving indoor hockey

Zeke says at primary school he went through the Holy Cross ranks with coach Puttick from Grade 1 to Grade 7. "Our coach helped plant the seed and love of hockey. I started playing PSI indoor hockey from age nine with local coach Erica Combrink, who has been my hockey mom, coach and mentor for many years."

He has won six gold medals, two silver and two bronze and received five Player of Tournament awards. "Indoor is a very special hockey for me."

He has been with Paul Roos Gymnasium since the age of 15. "Our coach, Ashlin Freddy, has been a huge part of my acceleration and focus in hockey. He has stood behind me as a coach and mentor," he says.

"My hockey career is very important from a future perspective. I would like to help put South African hockey increasingly on the world map as many senior players are already doing. My matric year is very important, on and off the turf. I would like to either study at Tuks or Maties for my hockey or abroad in Germany. The year has only started and lots of hockey is still to be played."

Zeke's parents, Ingrid and Quintus, are immensely pleased with their son's achievements. They live in George.

Zeke Hougaard