In the latest of our 10 questions features ? Pete Murison catches up with one of South Africa's premier hockey stars, Andrew Cronje, and chats about his love for the game, the Beijing experience, Amsterdam, Tiger Woods and more.

One of South Africa's top hockey players, Cronje made his debut for the national side aged just 19 and has already experienced playing in the Olympic Games and numerous other international tournaments for his country.

1. So why exactly did it take you so long to take up hockey?

The reason I started so late was because rugby and cricket had been my two early interests, rugby being my winter sport. Then, in Standard Five (now Grade Seven), I broke my elbow at Craven Week rugby trials and it never really healed properly ? probably because I didn't do the rehab like I should have ? so I couldn't play the next year and I was forced to play a winter sport so, luckily, I took up hockey.

2. So was it love at first sight? When did you know this was something you wanted to take all the way?

Not immediately, but pretty soon after I started. I made the national U16 team, which was great, but it was only when I captained the SA Under-18 side that I really developed a strong passion for hockey. My passion kind of shifted from cricket (another sport Andrew was prolific at) to hockey.

3. Every young South African kid dreams of representing their country ? at whichever sport ? you made you debut aged just 19 ; tell us what that whole experience was like?

Yeah, it was February 2004. It happened pretty quickly ? I was in the national U21 side and I honestly wasn't expecting it, but I got a call from the coach to say I'd been included.

By then hockey was my complete, number one passion, it [an international call-up] was what I was really aspiring for and working towards. It's every athlete's dream to represent their country so that first one was extra special.

4. The big one then, and I'm sure you've been asked it a million times, the Olympic experience, going to Beijing with the national side, talk us through that experience and exactly what it meant to you.

You know, the whole experience was something that gets built up a lot. When you talk to people who have been, when you just read up and hear about the Olympics, it's an amazing event just to hear about and watch ? so to go there and experience it for myself ? it was definitely everything that I wanted it to be.

The only thing that I think would have made it that much more special, would have been if we had succeeded as a team. I think we underperformed and underachieved as a team. That said, if I just look back at the whole experience, it was without a doubt the greatest three weeks of my life and definitely everything I thought it would be.

5. Staying with international competition ? you have had the opportunity to play against just about every big hockey nation there is ? who are the opponents who stood out for you and why?

I would definitely say the Australians. I think there is such a rivalry between South Africa and Australia in general so when the two teams come up against each other there is always increased tension and people really try go at each other.

Also though just because they are pretty similar to South Africans, they are really competitive and just looking at the way Australian hockey has gone the last few years, winning the gold medal in Athens, they have really been preparing well for a good length of time now.

6. So what is next then? Hockey-wise and just generally ? what is on the cards for Andrew Cronje?

Ummm, well nothing is set in stone just yet, but I'm definitely looking forward to maybe heading overseas to play and work for a bit. You know it's quite an exciting time in my life at the moment.

Hockey, unfortunately, isn't a professional sport so you have to have other interests and that to keep you going and sustain yourself. I've just been a student now and I've dedicated six years of my life to hockey.

It has basically just been hockey and trying to get through studies and now I'm looking forward to being a bit more financially independent and really getting to work ? you know ? it's really exciting to be looking at some great job opportunities.

Off course I also wouldn't mind the chance to get around some of Europe's golf courses over the next couple years and be able to travel a bit as well!

7. Sticking with that idea of travelling then ? putting on your travel guide hat on for a second ? you have had the chance to see much of the world during the recent years with the national side. Is there one place you would recommend others go and visit and that you yourself can't wait to see again?

The one place that I can't wait to go back to... Amsterdam. The junior World Cup was in Rotterdam a few years back and I got the chance to go up to Amsterdam for a few days afterwards. It was definitely a great place to go and experience ? it's an amazing city.

8. Every young sportsman of course has those people who they tried to mould themselves on, whether it's their action of just their mentality, who are some of the people you have tried to take things from?

I've got quite a few, actually. In hockey of course there is Craig Jackson, a former South African captain that I managed to play a few games under and, just the type of person he is, and also the quality hockey player that he is, makes him kind of my hockey role model. Another guy, Greg Knox, I played club hockey with ? he's someone I really admire.

On a pure sporting level I think you try take a bit from everyone. Dan Carter, someone that's young but really successful, Steve Waugh, the type of character that he is and, of course, Tiger Woods, for his sheer professionalism and dedication. Those are the kind of guys I look up to in the sports world and try take little bits from each of them.

9. Ok, we're getting there ? two to go. So while you say nothing is planned yet, obviously there could be a chance you leave the SA shores temporarily again pretty soon ? what is it that you miss most about Cape Town when you're away ? La Med on a Sunday evening by any chance?

Ha! Ha! No, I think it's more than that! You know, the more I think about possibly going away, and whenever I am away, that's when I really start to appreciate what an amazing place this is. The amazing people and the friends and family that I have here are the first things that go through my mind. Of course then there is also just the beauty of the city, throughout Cape Town and also across South Africa.

10. Last question then. As someone who gave up rugby and who is now a hockey hero ? who is more hard-core? The age-old debate: hockey or rugby players?

(Thinks for a bit)? I think hockey players are a little bit more hard-core, but I'm not going to give a reason for that. We just are.