By Stuart Hess
There were folks walking around with wry smiles on their faces after South Africa's poor performance during the World Cup in Malaysia.
It had, they said, proved that the decision to drop South Africa from the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney was correct.
Finishing 13th out of 16 teams obviously pointed to the fact that the South African men's hockey team were not as good as they thought.
They have been offered the chance to prove all their detractors wrong in the rather less pressurised atmosphere of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July.
The five-match series against Spain starting in Randburg on Sunday afternoon is very much one with an eye more on the Commonwealth Games than on actually winning against the Spaniards.
"I would like to see us make sure that our style and structure are right and maybe through that we can get the results," said the team's coach, Rob Pullen.
In that regard, the entire squad will get a run at some stage throughout the series as Pullen attempts to improve combinations and offer the players every chance to understand one another better ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Areas of weakness highlighted by the coach after the World Cup include the defence and the execution of penalty corners.
"We conceded some soft goals in Malaysia and defensively I would like to see the whole team work together as a unit," Pullen said.
"We did some crazy things during the World Cup but we've worked on things and already I've seen some improvement."
Having said that, Pullen realises that the improvement will take time.
It will be difficult for that improvement to occur against Spain. After going into the World Cup with the semifinals very much a target, the Spanish disappointed, finishing just two places higher than South Africa.
"They are a team with a lot of flair and are a very quick, especially among the forwards," said Pullen.
"However, they also offer opportunities for us to go on the break and hopefully, if we have the right structure, we can take advantage of that."
The hosts will have to make do without the services of their main offensive threat, Craig Jackson, who injured a calf muscle last week.
In keeping with his plan to give everyone a chance, Pullen has called up young Ian Evans as cover.
Although he has yet to play at international level, Pullen is hopeful the youngster will give a good account of himself and - in the event of any other squad members suffering long-term injuries - play himself into the side for the Commonwealth Games.
Teams
South Africa: Clyde Abrahams, Marvin Bam, Kevin Chree, Gregg Clark, Mike Cullen, Emile Smith, Wayne Denne, Denzil Dolley, Steven Evans, Craig Fulton, Chris Hibbert, Craig Jackson, Bruce Jacobs, Justin King, Greg Nicol, David Staniforth, Ian Evans
Spain: Bernardino Herrera, Xavier Bruses, Jaime Perez, Ramon Alegre, Josep Ejarque, Miquel Codina, Hector Gonzales, Juan Escarre, Kiko Fabregas,Santi Freixa, Jordi Alastrue, Alex Fabregas, Alberto Esteban, Edi Tubau, Pau Quemada, Victor Sojo
Schedule:
Sunday: Randburg Hockey Stadium (3.45pm)
June 25: Potchefstroom University Hockey
Stadium (6.30pm)
June 26: Potchefstroom University Hockey
Stadium (6.30pm)
June 29: Randburg Hockey Stadium (3.15pm)
June 30: Randburg Hockey Stadium (3.15pm)