The FIH Nations Cup 2 came to a close in disappointing fashion for the South African Women, who were edged 4-3 by Malaysia in a shootout after a 1-all draw in the 7th-place playoff, at the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 in Wałcz, Poland, on Sunday, 22 June 2025.
Having beaten the same opponents earlier in the tournament and on the back of the team’s hard-fought 1-nil loss to Czechia on Saturday, the result was a bitter pill to swallow for the African champions.
South Africa’s campaign had been marked by frustration in front of goal, and that trend continued on the final day. Despite controlling large spells of the game and dominating the midfield, an inability to convert chances proved costly once again.
The first half was goalless, though not without opportunity. Quanita Bobbs forced a save with a powerful effort, before Onthatile Zulu’s thunderous strike rattled the crossbar. Malaysia created little in response, with a tame penalty corner comfortably saved.
Zulu continued to ask questions of the defence, creating a golden chance for Ntsopa Mokoena who couldn’t find the finish, and then Kayla de Waal rounded the keeper but lost her footing at the decisive moment.
The third quarter was much of the same. South Africa earned three penalty corners but couldn’t capitalise. Bobbs came close again, flashing her shot just wide.
Against the run of play, it was Malaysia who struck first. A diving deflection from Nur Azhar in the final quarter evaded the reach of Mishka Dimba to give the Asian side the lead. But South Africa found a response, showing resilience through Charné Maddocks, who lifted a calm finish over the keeper to level matters.
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In the shootout, South Africa struck first—Bobbs scored and Marlise van Tonder made a superb save. But Malaysia pulled level after a miss from Tegan Fourie, and the drama intensified. Zulu kept South Africa in it, but Daniella de Oliveira’s successful attempt came just after the buzzer and was ruled out. Despite Cerian Fourie converting the final attempt, Malaysia responded again and ultimately secured the shootout victory.
It was a campaign of fine margins and frustration for the South Africans, who leave the Nations Cup knowing they created enough—but just didn’t finish enough.
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: Wales 2- 0 Czechia
Tue 17 Jun 2025: France 4 -0 Italy
Tue 17 Jun 2025: Malaysia 1 – 3 South Africa
Tue 17 Jun 2025: Uruguay 1 – 1 Poland
Thu 19 Jun 2025: Italy 4 – 0 Czechia
Thu 19 Jun 2025: Wales 1 – 2 France
Thu 19 Jun 2025: Uruguay 4 – 2 Malaysia
Thu 19 Jun 2025: South Africa 2 – 3 Poland
Sat 21 Jun 2025 5th-8th: South Africa 0 – 1 Czechia
Sat 21 Jun 2025 5th-8th: Italy 5 – 0 Malaysia
Sat 21 Jun 2025 Semi-Final I: Uruguay 2 – 1 Wales
Sat 21 Jun 2025 Semi-Final 2: France 4 – 1 Poland
Sun 22 Jun 2025 7th-8th: South Africa 1(3) – 1(4) Malaysia
Sun 22 Jun 2025 5th-6th: Czechia 3(2) – 3(1) Italy, Czechia wins 2-1 on penalties
Sun 22 Jun 2025 3rd-4th: Wales 1 – 0 Poland
Sun 22 Jun 2025 FINAL: URUGUY 3(1) – 3(3) FRANCE, France wins 3-1 on penalties
Pool A
Malaysia
Poland
South Africa
Uruguay
Pool B
Czechia
France
Italy
Wales
SA Women’s Squad – FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2 (Name, Caps)
Aphiwe Dimba
Cailynn Den Bakker
Cerian Fourie
Charné Maddocks
Daniella 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: Onthatile Zulu and Quanita Bobbs celebrate Charné Maddocks’s goal to draw level after Malaysia opened scoring in the final quarter. The FIH Nations Cup 2 came to a close in disappointing fashion for South Africa, who were edged 4-3 by Malaysia in a shootout after a 1-all draw in the 7th-place playoff, at the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 in Wałcz, Poland, on Sunday, 22 June 2025. All Photos: FIH / World Sport Pics
Photo 2 Caption: The first half was goalless, though not without opportunity, with Quanita Bobbs forcing a save with a powerful effort.
Photo 3 Caption: Both teams struggled to break through, with no goals scored in the first three quarters of the 7th/8th place playoff match.
