The SA Hockey Men faced off against the higher-ranked New Zealand team today, eager to kickstart their FIH Hockey Nations Cup campaign after a defeat in their opener against Austria. The match was particularly significant as it marked Mustapha Cassiem’s 50th test cap for the outdoor team. Both teams, bound for the Olympics, were determined to make their mark in this tournament.
As is common in encounters between South Africa and New Zealand, the game began tentatively, with both sides striving to create the first moment of quality in the early exchanges. New Zealand struck first with a brilliant deflected goal from the top of the circle, finished off with a diving effort by Hugo Inglis. This goal was the only notable event in the opening quarter, leaving South Africa trailing 1-0 at the first break.
The game maintained an underlying tension, occasionally threatening to boil over, but never quite doing so. South Africa managed to contain New Zealand’s threats but struggled to create significant chances of their own. They did win two penalty corners, but with Matt Guise-Brown off the field, Jacques van Tonder and Connor Beauchamp both failed to convert, leaving the score at 1-0 at halftime.
Early in the second half, Scott Boyde doubled New Zealand’s lead with a goal that was questioned but ultimately stood. South Africa finally got on the scoreboard when Guise-Brown, back on the field, converted a penalty corner emphatically, injecting hope into the South African challenge.
The South Africans sought a crucial equalizer late in the game, but their momentum was halted by double yellow cards, leading to a second defeat in the tournament. This result left their chances of progressing to the semi-finals hanging by a thread.
Post-match, Nic Spooner shared his thoughts: “It’s a better game from the team, it was probably a fair result as both teams had a few chances at the end. We will continue to build on the positives and do whatever we can to make the playoffs.”
The South Africans have little time to rest as they headline Tuesday night’s action, taking on Poland at 20:00. The game will be broadcast live on Supersport and Watch.Hockey.
by South Africa
