The global showpiece has been delayed by an entire year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hockey teams will be among the first South Africans to compete at the Games.

Nicole Erasmus of the women’s team told OFM Sport that they have had to adapt their training.

“It's very hot and humid. Yesterday we trained at 8:30 in the morning and it was already 34 degrees, so it is boiling over here.

“Having said that, we are very excited. We have a couple of training games coming up so it's good to be able to fine tune as well.

“We're just excited and keen for the competition to start.”

The women face Ireland at 14:15 on Saturday afternoon, while the men take on Great Britain at 11:30 on Saturday morning.

SA Women's hockey squad - Quanita Bobbs, Erin Christie, Lisa Deetlefs, Lilian Du Plessis, Nicole Erasmus, Tarryn Glasby, Robyn Johnson, Charne Maddocks, Lerato Mahole, Phumelela Mbande, Edith Molikoe, Kristen Paton, Tarryn Potts, Celia Seerane, Nomnikelo Veto, Onthatile Zulu.

SA Men's hockey squad - Rassie Pieterse, Timothy Drummond, Austin Smith, Mohamed Mea, Matthew Guise Brown, Jethro Eustice, Nduduzo Lembethe, Taine Paton, Nicholas Spooner, Clinton Panther, Samkelo Mvimbi, Abdul Cassiem, Mustapha Cassiem, Nqobile Ntuli, Keenan Horne, Tevin Kok.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport