South African Hockey is pleased to announce that Inky Zondi has been appointed as the Head Coach of the South African Women’s Hockey Team. His appointment runs through to the FIH Hockey World Cup in 2026, an important period for the team as they look to build momentum and grow on the international stage, while focusing on climbing the World Rankings.
Zondi is no stranger to success. He currently heads the hockey program at TuksHockey, where he also coaches the 1st team women. He has been a key part of the national setup for several years, serving as an assistant coach at major events such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2019 African Olympic Qualifiers, and the 2022 World Cup & Commonwealth Games.
While serving as interim head coach, Zondi led the team to victory at the 2022 Africa Hockey Cup of Nations, earning qualification for the 15th Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup. His ability to guide the team through challenging competitions speaks to his leadership and calm under pressure.
Joining Zondi on this journey is a strong and experienced support team:
Zondi shared his thoughts on his new role:
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue working with this incredible group of players and staff. We have a lot of work to do as we begin our challenge of climbing back up the world rankings. We have a lot of talent and potential in this team, and I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can go as we prepare for the challenges ahead, including the 2026 World Cup.”
Shaune Baaitjies, Interim CEO of SA Hockey, added:
“Inky’s knowledge and experience with the team make him the right person for the job. We’re looking forward to seeing how he builds on the progress the team has already made.”
The South African Women’s Hockey Team is excited to move forward with Zondi at the helm, with the focus firmly on preparation, growth, and achieving success on the world stage.
by South Africa
