Hockey: Black Sticks given Olympics glimmer of hope

Black Sticks captain Simon Child was left disappointed after missing out on an Olympic berth. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand have a nervous wait to see if they get a late, unexpected call into the men's Rio Olympics hockey tournament next year.

The Black Sticks, ranked seventh in the world, lost their last chance for automatic qualification when beaten 3-2 by world No 1 Australia in Stratford a week ago.

However there is a glimmer of hope after South Africa won the African continental qualifying tournament in Johannesburg early today.

The 4-2 win over Egypt means South Africa - and their women's team who also won their title 3-0 over Ghana earlier in the day - are eligible for a place in the Rio Games.

However the South African Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has previously indicated it will not support either team competing in Rio, as they had not qualified through the World League tournament. It has stated that continental qualification will not be backed.

Sascoc has stated it believes the qualification criteria, laid down last May, ''is in line with Sascoc's policy of producing world class athletes who will compete at the highest level'', it's ceo Tubby Reddy said.

The International Hockey Federation procedure is it will notify South African officials within 14 days that quota places awaits them in Rio, and in turn the country has another 14 days to respond.

The FIH did not indicate today who will fill the gaps should Sascoc remain steadfast in rejecting the places.

However New Zealand are the highest ranked country not already in the men's Games field.

It's understood if the African winners turn down the opportunity it does not automatically pass to the runners up, In that case the Black Sticks will be front runners.

The women's Black Sticks, world No 4, have already qualified for Rio.