Dec 6, 2025

South Africa wrapped up their group stage campaign at the Junior World Cup with a demanding encounter against China, knowing that anything less than a win would place them in the bottom half of the tournament. It was always going to be a challenging task and China showed their intent from the very first whistle.

The Chinese side were in complete control early on creating a stream of chances and forcing the South Africans into deep defensive work. To their credit the African Champions hung on superbly. There were spirited defensive efforts across the pitch and a handful of outstanding saves from Richele Norval who kept her team in the contest.

South Africa struggled to create anything of real substance going forward and the pressure eventually told. China opened the scoring from a penalty corner just before the break a frustrating blow after such a determined and disciplined first half effort.

Eight minutes into the second half China doubled their advantage when Wang unleashed a thunderous penalty corner strike to claim her second of the match. They added a third not long after when Tan nipped in ahead of Norval and poked home their only field goal of the game.

China continued to apply pressure in the final quarter and were rewarded again as Zuo converted another well taken penalty corner to stretch the lead to four and close out a deserved victory. The defeat leaves South Africa third in the pool.

The three best third placed teams will progress to the nine to sixteen playoff bracket while the other two drop into the seventeen to twenty four bracket. South Africa will now have to wait on the remaining results to see exactly where they land.

Source: SAHockey.co.za