​Underwater hockey players from 17 countries gathered in Stellenbosch from 23 March to 2 April for the 19th CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championship hosted in Coetzenburg's state-of-the-art Olympic-size swimming pool.

A total of 44 teams competed in four different divisions: Elite (men and women) and Masters (men and women).

Australia won three out of the four available titles while South Africa's Elite Women beat New Zealand 4-3 in the final to be crowned world champions in that category. The SA Masters Women won silver after losing against Australia in the final.

The SA men's teams (elite and masters) both finished in the top eight.

According to events manager from Sports4U Chantelle Hayes they received positive feedback from participants about the town and Coetzenburg swimming pool as a venue.

South Africa has hosted the Underwater Hockey World Championships twice before: in 1996 and 2008.

The 20th CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championship will be hosted by Canada in Quebec in 2018.​​

Photos: Franna Lombard