Fresh off a groundbreaking bronze medal finish at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia earlier this year, the South African Indoor Hockey Men’s team has announced their High-Performance Squad, setting the tone for the next Indoor World Cup cycle and beyond.
Head Coach Justin Rosenberg, who led the team to its best-ever finish on the global stage, has named a 29-player squad that balances experience with emerging talent. Eleven of the twelve bronze medal-winning players return, including tournament standout and FIH Indoor World Cup Player of the Tournament, Mustapha Cassiem.
The only omission from the World Cup squad is veteran Justin Domleo, who announced his retirement following the historic achievement. Domleo, who was a stalwart in the team, bows out having helped shape one of the most iconic moments in South African hockey history.
Reflecting a strategic eye toward long-term development, the newly named squad features 12 uncapped players, signalling Rosenberg’s intent to build squad depth ahead of future international competitions, with an eye already cast towards 2029.
This group represents both the legacy of Croatia and the future of South African indoor hockey. We are building a team that can continue to compete at the highest level, while developing a strong foundation for the next generation of champions.
The High-Performance Squad will come together for a national training camp later this year, with preparations focused on defending their title at the Nkosi Cup, hosted annually in Cape Town.
With an exciting mix of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers, South Africa’s indoor men are poised to continue their upward trajectory—and the journey to future podiums begins now.
South African Indoor Hockey Men’s High-Performance Squad (Caps in brackets):
Returning stars: Mustapha Cassiem (47), Dayaan Cassiem (47), Jethro Eustice (64), Ryan Julius (32), Keegan Hezlett (46), Rusten Abrahams (47).
Notable newcomers: Michael Horan (0), CJ Mashele (0), Ryan Mann (0), Zamokuhle Ngubo (0).
