The SA Women’s Hockey team have completed the first two matches in a three-Test series as part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and with one win each, the three-match Test series is perfectly balanced ahead of the deciding final in Cambrai, France, on Saturday 6 July, 2024.
South Africans who got things off with a victory with a 2-0 upset win over the French on Tuesday, before the home team levelled the series in a 2-0 fight back on Thursday.
In the first encounter, Giles Bonnet’s team got the better of a French side that struggled to settle in the early parts of the game, giving away three penalty corners within the first 30 minutes of the game, and it was Kayla de Waal who got her team on the scoresheet with a goal in the 37th minute.
However, a few minutes later South Africa was a player down as Ongeziwe Mali was shown a green card, meaning the visitors were a player down for two minutes.
Despite that setback, South Africa managed to double their lead thanks to a goal by Kristen Paton and that was enough to seal the win.
The second game didn’t go plan for the South Africans, Paola Le Nindre scored France’s first goal in the first quarter, and the hosts were on the front foot. It turned out to be quite a busy first 16 minutes with France being awarded a penalty corner, and Delfina Gaspari getting a green card a minute later.
France continued to keep the South Africans from breaking through, and Le Nindre scored a second goal in the 48th minute to ensure her team continued putting on the pressure.
Bonnet’s side were awarded a few late penalty corners but weren’t able to convert them into goals, which saw them succumb to a defeat, with the series tied 1-all.
The series title is at stake ahead of the final game, as the two teams will face off in the winner-takes-all clash at 11am on Saturday.
Fixtures and Results for the Three Test France vs South Africa Series in Cambrai, France
2 July: France 0-2 South Africa
4 July: France 2-0 South Africa
6 July, 11:00am: France v South Africa
Main Photo Caption: The South African Women’s Hockey team is getting much-needed game time ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games. They are currently going up against host France in a three-match Test series from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 6 July 2024. Photo: SA Women’s Hockey on Facebook
