Black Sticks star Nick Haig will be looking to score goals at the Olympics after the men's team were given a late invite to contest Rio 2016.

The New Zealand men's hockey team have been given an Olympics lifeline and are set to compete at Rio 2016.

The International Hockey Federation has issued an official invitation for the Black Sticks to complete the 12-team field in Brazil after the team looked to be on the outer when they twice failed to gain qualification this year, firstly through the World League and then at the Oceania Series.

But the African champion South Africa won't be sending their team after losing an appeal to the International Olympic Committee on the decision of their own national Olympic committee not to send them.

The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) had made the decision not to send their men's and women's hockey teams to Rio fearing they would not be competitive.

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The IOC reviewed an appeal lodged by the International Hockey Federation on behalf of the South African Hockey Association but found in favour of Sascoc.

"It is with great sadness that we receive this news," the hockey association said in a statement.

"We accept and respect the final decision of the IOC. We will continue our efforts to lobby for the review of the general qualification criteria of Sascoc beyond the 2016 Olympic Games," added chief executive officer Marissa Langeni.

The hockey association had previously said the decision would "cripple the sport" in the country.

BLACK STICKS IN

The men's Black Sticks were the beneficiaries of the South Africa hockey decision as they would fill the vacancy in the 12-team Olympic competition as the highest ranked team not to qualify. Spain has been invited to complete the women's field.

New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith has advised Hockey New Zealand the invitation will be accepted.

"It's fantastic news. To have both the men's and women's hockey teams in Rio is hugely exciting for New Zealand and we look forward to working with Hockey New Zealand as team progresses towards selection in 2016," Smith said.

New Zealand will now have two teams in the Olympics hockey competitions with the Black Sticks women having already qualified.

The New Zealand men have contested every Olympics since Sydney 2000. Their highlight remains the 1976 gold medal effort.

In Rio they will line out against Brazil (hosts), Australia (Oceania champions), India (Asia), Argentina (Pan America), Netherlands (Europe), Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Canada, Spain, and Ireland.

The Black Sticks men lost $50,000 in funding in the latest round of high performance allocations because of their poor 2015. They have a $700,000 budget for their Olympic preparations.