Holy Cross friends reunite on the world stage

Three former Holy Cross Primary learners, who first became teammates and close friends at the age of five, are stepping onto the international stage.

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Ozair Pillay

Zeke Hougaard, Leruo Dithlikanyane and Ozair Pillay have been selected for the South African U21 Men's Hockey Team that will compete at the Junior World Cup in Madurai/Chennai, India, where 24 countries will be represented.

This is not the first time Hougaard and Dithlikanyane have earned national selection at a young age. In 2023, while still matriculants at 17, both made the SA U21 squad and competed in the Afcon Games in Egypt. Their former primary school teammate, Pillay, has now joined them in wearing national colours.

Pillay is studying BCom Economic Sciences at Stellenbosch University and both Dithlikanyane and Hougaard are studying business degrees online (Dithlikanyane at Varsity College and Hougaard at Eduvisa London) as they need to travel extensively for their hockey.