The South African Women’s Hockey Team ignited their FIH Nations Cup campaign with a resilient 3–1 comeback victory over Malaysia in Gniezno, Poland, on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.
Despite seeing two penalty strokes saved, the South Africans overturned a half-time deficit to claim all three points and breathe momentum into their tournament.
South Africa started brightly, winning an early penalty corner, but the shot was ruled dangerous. Moments later, they earned a golden opportunity to go ahead with a penalty stroke. Quanita Bobbs stepped up, but her effort was brilliantly saved by Malaysian goalkeeper Nur Zainal.
Onthatile Zulu went close with a shot that shaved past the post, and Hannah Pearce narrowly missed with a penalty corner effort, but despite creating the better chances, it was Malaysia who took the lead when a lapse at the back post allowed Dayang Abang to control the ball, turn inside, and fire low into the corner to put Malaysia 1–0 up.
In the second quarter, South Africa continued to press but struggled to maintain momentum due to several unforced errors. Head coach Inky Zondi would have been frustrated with the lack of cutting edge as the teams went into the break with Malaysia leading 1–0.
Whatever was said in the change room at half-time clearly worked, as South Africa came out with renewed intent and resilience. The breakthrough came from Ntsopa Mokoena, who latched onto a pass from Bobbs, drove into the circle, and unleashed a powerful slap into the bottom left corner to level the scores.
Like London buses, the second goal followed quickly. This time, Cailynn den Bakker found Thati Zulu in space, and the striker made no mistake, firing home into the same spot as Mokoena had minutes earlier to make it 2–1.
The result was sealed in the final quarter when Hannah Pearce—on her 51st international appearance—converted from a penalty corner. Her shot was perfectly placed, evading two decoy runners and wrong-footing the goalkeeper.
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South Africa earned another penalty stroke when den Bakker was brought down illegally, but once again Zainal produced a remarkable save, this time denying Tegan Fourie. Fortunately, the miss didn’t prove costly, and South Africa walked away with a well-deserved win.
They now look ahead to their final group stage clash against hosts Poland, at 6pm CAT on Thursday evening.
Fixtures and Results for the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2 Poland 2024-2025 in Wałcz, Poland
Mon 16 Jun 2025: Italy 3 – 3 Wales
Mon 16 Jun 2025: France 3 – 0 Czechia
Mon 16 Jun 2025: South Africa 0 – 2 Uruguay
Mon 16 Jun 2025: Malaysia 0 – 0 Poland
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (12:00): Wales 2-0 Czechia
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (14:00): France 4-0 Italy
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (16:00): Malaysia 1-3 South Africa
Tue 17 Jun 2025 (18:00): Uruguay 1-1 Poland
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (12:00): Italy vs Czechia
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (14:00): Wales vs France
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (16:00): Uruguay vs Malaysia
Thu 19 Jun 2025 (18:00): South Africa vs Poland
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (12:00): 5th-8th
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (14:15): 5th-8th
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (16:30): Semi-Final I
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (18:45): Semi-Final 2
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (12:00): 7th-8th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (14:15): 5th-6th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (16:30): 3rd-4th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (18:45): FINAL
Pool A
Malaysia
Poland
South Africa
Uruguay
Pool B
Czechia
France
Italy
Wales
SA Women’s Squad for the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2
Aphiwe Dimba
Cailynn Den Bakker
Cerian Fourie
Charné Maddocks
Danielia de Oliveira
Edith Molikoe
Hannah Pearce
Jean-Leigh du Toit
Kayla de Waal
Lerato Mahole
Marlise van Tonder
Ntsopa Mokoena
Ongeziwe Mali
Onthatile Zulu
Quanita Bobbs
Shanna Mendonca
Stephanie Botha
Tegan Fourie
Original Copy: Hockey SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: South Africa’s first win at the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2 was sealed in the final quarter when Hannah Pearce, having just won her 50th cap in national colours, converted from a penalty corner for a 3-1 win over Malaysia in Gniezno, Poland, on Tuesday, 17 June, 2025. All Photos: FIH / World Sport Pics
Photo 2 Caption: Ntsopa Mokoena scored South Africa’s first goal at the Nations Cup 2 midway through the third quarter, to level scores.
Photo 3 Caption: SA striker Onthatile Zulu converted from play following a penalty corner for South Africa’s second goal of the match.
