Dec 4, 2025

In their second game of the tournament South Africa faced a slick English outfit eager to ignite their own campaign after drawing their opening match with China. It proved a far tougher assignment for the young South Africans who fought throughout but ultimately fell to a four one defeat.

England came out with real intent and their pace and precision created a wave of early pressure. South Africa absorbed as much as they could but the breakthrough eventually arrived from a penalty corner that gave the English a deserved lead.

South Africa responded with two early penalty corners of their own in the second quarter as they pushed hard for a way back into the contest. While the opportunities did not produce the equaliser the quarter was far more balanced as the South Africans settled into the tempo and restricted the European chances. The half closed with England holding a one goal advantage.

The match stayed alive through the third quarter with South Africa working tirelessly to stay within reach, but England found a crucial second in the final minute of the period through Lottie Bingham which shifted the momentum once more.

England added further goals in the final quarter through a penalty corner and a penalty stroke which widened the margin more than the general flow of the game suggested. South Africa kept competing and were rewarded late on when Ntsopa Mokoena reacted quickest to a rebound to pull one back.

South Africa now turn their attention to their final pool match against China where they will look to finish as high up the group as possible.

Source: SAHockey.co.za