SA Davis Cup team forced into reshuffle for Morocco clash in absence of stalwart Henning

South Africa will be without the star of their last Davis Cup tie against Nigeria, Philip Henning, when they face the higher ranked Morocco in a World Group II clash at Groenkloof Tennis Club in Pretoria next weekend.

Henning has been in great form recently, dominating the Curro Centre Court Series in Hillcrest, and his absence will be keenly felt by captain Pietie Norval.  

Norval will be counting on Kris van Wyk and Alec Beckley, who have both played three Davis Cup ties since 2023, to step up in Henning’s absence. The 19-year-old Leo Matthysen has also represented South Africa in two ties in the international men's team competition.

The other three members of Norval’s six-member squad – Thando Longwe-Smit, experienced 30-year-old player Marc van der Merwe and 17-year-old prospect Connor Doig – will be hoping to make their Davis Cup debuts.

“There are a few players who are unavailable, but we are excited about this team," Norval said after announcing the squad. “Our outstanding player from the last tie against Nigeria earlier in the year, Philip Henning, won’t be available due to injury.”

Henning played in back-to-back rubbers as SA beat plucky Nigeria 3-1 in the World Group II playoffs in Pretoria in February. Norval admitted that, like the Nigerians, the Moroccans are a closed book to the SA Davis Cup team.

“We’re not quite sure about the strength of Morocco’s players. We know their players and their rankings, but just like the previous tie against Nigeria, you never quite know when the players arrive how good they're going to be,” the skipper said.

“In Nigeria’s case they were very strong and we had to fight hard to get through the tie, and in Morocco’s case we will prepare for the same.”

Van Wyk, the top-ranked player in the team, has been particularly impressive this year, having progressed beyond the quarterfinals in four doubles and one singles tournament on the ITF circuit.

Beckley, meanwhile, has reached singles and doubles finals at ITF tournaments in Czechia and Germany. Matthysen has reached the semifinals at three doubles tournaments at home and abroad.

Longwe-Smit has reached doubles semifinals at ITF tournaments in Pretoria and Tunisia this season and progressed to the penultimate round of the singles competition at the ITF tournament in Hillcrest last month. Van der Merwe reached the final in Hillcrest where he was edged out in the trophy battle by Henning.

Doig has also impressed at junior level, qualifying for the main draw of the boys singles division at the Wimbledon Championships last month where he also progressed to the doubles quarterfinals with Indian partner Kriish Tyagi.

"If we can find a way to get through this tie we'll get so much closer to World Group I, which is important for our country, and we hope it will be to our advantage playing at high altitude in Pretoria,” Norval added. “We’re well prepared and we believe that we’ve got a good chance.”

It will be SA’s first Davis Cup tie since the win over Nigeria in February. The winners of the contest between the 58th-ranked hosts and the visitors (51) will progress to the World Group I promotion playoffs. The losing side will compete in the World Group II relegation playoffs.