Apparently South Africa is up and down...

While searching Google and looking for an international forum that has been misplaced I came across an article on the Luxembourg website about hockey in South Africa... Rather interesting reading material...

March 16th, 2008

SOUTH AFRICA - UP AND DOWN

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Kockelscheuer, Thursday, April 3rd: Luxembourg – South Africa

By Michal Travnicek

South Africa is the one and only African team which is participating in the World Championships. This tournament takes place during Summer for the South Africans, which means that it is at beginning of season for theplayers. Their land is situated in the southern hemisphere. Strength of South African ice hockey is something like a sinusoid – up and down.

2006 IIHF World Championship Div II Group A, Sophia, Bulgaria

The history of ice hockey in the southest African country started in the second half of 30’s. The game was mainly played by foreigners. In 50’s and 60’s Durban was the ice hockey center of the country. Then Gauteng took over the lead in South African ice hockey for more than 40 years. Now Western Province is the current champion. In fact, there are three „ice hockey provinces“ in South Africa – Gauteng (former known as Transvaal with center Pretoria), Western Province (Cape Town) and Kwazulu Natal (Durban).

The first league results known outside South Africa date back to 1938. Johannesburg Mohawks became Gauteng league winners. This competition was the strongest in South Africa and therefore its winner was recognized as national champion. At the beginning of 70’s the first „golden period“ of South African ice hockey starts. There are professional players in the country. It was among others thanks to the fact that the season in South Africa takes place during the European off-season. Best known player in that time was Swiss national team defender and later co-coach Jakob Kölliker.

The second part of the Golden years started halfway the 90’s. There are very good players in South Africa like Dusan Halloun (who played in Belgium and this 2007-2008 season for Smoke Eaters Geleen, The Netherlands) or Igor Zajec. League games are covered by TV and it seems to be South African ice hockey is on the way up. This is only true for a few years. At the end of 90’s there were talks of a breakaway league. In season 2005 Gauteng league folded and only thanks to private funding this league is still alive.

In 2002 Interprovincial championships for senior teams was played for the first time. Gauteng selects hold the trophy till 2006. Last season saw two premieres. Kwazulu Natal selects took part in this championship for the first time and Western Province became champion for the first time. What’s the reason? Dislikes to play from the side of Gauteng players. Gauteng teams were partly manned by Western Provinces players. Unfortunately, the same situation is valid for South Africa’s national team. Its strenght depends on likes or dislikes to play for national team and this year will not be an exception.

Wester Province 2007

It is no surprise that Alan Verwey (46) is still one of the best South African players who skates on home ice in this situation. Three Reinecke brothers are very promising players and learned their hockey in Toronto, Canada. Very remarkable is the goaltending duo of Bock brothers. None other national team has brother on this position. Michael Fraquet was selected as Most valuable player during Interprovincial championship 2007. He is one of best South African players. His best stunt was scoring all six goals for his team during a league game in 2006. By the way, his team the Rams was defeated 6:8 in that encounter. Unfortunately, he and other very good players from Cape Town (like Marais or Giot) did not play for national team from the 2005 season.

Werwey Alan

As said above, Western Province is the league´s champion. Its players defeated Southern Gauteng 3:0 in the 2007 finals. The teams met earlier in a round robin encounter in which Southern Gauteng won 3:2. In the final game Andre Marais, who was selected as best forward, scored both the first and winning goal. The latter with ten minutes of play left. Nick von Rahden scored for 2:0 and the result was sealed by another Western Province star Marc Giot with his shot just above ice. In the bronze medal game Northern Gauteng crushed the tired Kwazulu Natal players 15:1. Western Province’s goalie Erik Rodenwoldt topped the tournament with a 97,14 % Saves Percentage.

Photo of George Lyon  - WC 2007 in Dundalk (against Ireland)

The very first game between South Africa and Luxembourg was played in Johannesburg during the World Championship 1992. The home team won clearly 16:0. Alan Verwey (30 at that time) scored a hattrick. In the last encounter against South Africa Luxembourg celebrated its first success by a 5:2 score. It was a very close game. Both the fourth and fifth goals being empty netters on the powerplay.

Luxembourg – South Africa :

0:16 (0:5, 0:9,0:2) – 21.3.1992, Johannesburg, World Championship C.
3:7 (0:3,2:2,1:2) – 12.3.2005, Mexico City, World Championship D3.
5:2 (1:1,1:0,3:1) – 15.4.2007, Dundalk, World Championship D3 Qualification.