Hockey: South Africa back in fold

South Africa yesterday returned to international hockey after 18 years in isolation because of the republic's apartheid policies, writes Bill Colwill. They were reinstated by the sport's world governing body, the International Hockey Federation, in response to the Republic's four national associations being reconstituted under one roof - the South African Hockey Association.

South Africa's men's team can now chase a place in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, but the decision has come too late for the women. They were forced to withdraw from the Nations Cup and thereby missed the opportunity of building up a track record.

Wales completed their preparations for the Intercontinental Cup qualifier in Switzerland with two defeats against Belgium. They dominated both games in Brussels but lost the first 3-1 and the second 2-1, two penalty strokes from their captain Dave Hacker being the only reward for their labours.

The matches gave Wales's young side additional international experience, but they know that with Austria, Czechoslovakia and Switzerland in their pool in Olten, there will be no easy games. Scotland, in the other half of the draw, play Belgium, Denmark and Italy.

WALES SQUAD: C Ashcroft (Neston), D Knapp (Guildford), K Priday (Guildford), A Colclough (Teddington), T Moore (Teddington), M Williamson (Hounslow), D Hacker (Hounslow, capt), H Mathias (British Steel), A Grimes (Southgate), C O'Sullivan (Isca), I Hughes-Rowlands (Cannock), P Edwards (Cannock), R Jones (Stourport), Z Jones (Bournville), M Hannon (Swansea), D Colclough (Swansea).