After opening scoring first in their second Paris 2024 Olympic fixture on Monday, South Africa continued their Olympic journey with a challenging 4-2 loss against world number 2, Argentina at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, France, on Monday, 29 July, 2024
This match marked just the second meeting between the two sides in Olympic history, with Argentina winning their previous clash by a large margin in London.
“It was a tough day today. It was really hot. We had a great first half. We set about to get the first outcome and we did exactly that. I think we just ran out of steam in the final quarter unfortunately but overall I am tremendously proud of our team. We know what we need to do in the next games and we will go out and do it!”
SA Women’s Hockey Captain, Quanita Bobbs
Adding to the challenge for South Africa, their most experienced player, Dirkie Chamberlain, was ruled out, and Kayla Swart had the opportunity to emulate her older brother and become an Olympian.
The game began poorly for South Africa as Argentina scored early. However, the umpires had missed a foot violation, which was well noticed by Erin Christie, leading to the goal being disallowed.
Despite Argentina’s pressure, South Africa’s defense, led by Anelle Lloyd, held strong. Near the end of the first quarter, South Africa earned a penalty corner, and Antonet Louw’s low, hard drag shot found the back of the net, giving South Africa the lead.
In the second quarter, Argentina won an early penalty corner, but their deflected effort went wide. Despite South Africa’s defensive efforts, Argentina equalised through Augustina Gorzelany’s near-post penalty corner.
Argentina continued to threaten but failed to capitalise on their chances, including another disallowed goal for lifting the ball on the first strike from a penalty corner.
South Africa produced an outstanding counter-attack led by Taheera Augousti, which saw Celia Seerane’s cross well saved. Shortly after, Kayla Swart’s lifted cross earned South Africa a penalty corner. From this, Quanita Bobbs fed the ball to Kayla de Waal, who deflected it home, putting South Africa ahead 2-1 at halftime—a surprising result.
In the second half, Argentina’s frustration showed as they received two green cards, reducing them to nine players for a minute. Despite this, Argentina saw out the suspensions without conceding.
An exciting counter-attack from South Africa almost resulted in a goal, but Mokoena couldn’t control the ball in the circle. Argentina won a penalty corner in the final minute of the third quarter but failed to capitalise, leaving the score 2-1 in South Africa’s favour.
Early in the final quarter, South Africa missed a counter-attack opportunity, and Argentina quickly won a penalty corner. Gorzelany executed perfectly into the bottom left corner, levelling the score.
With 10 minutes remaining, Argentina believed they could win and secured another penalty corner, with Gorzelany completing her hat-trick. Julieta Jankunas extended Argentina’s lead to 4-2 with a brilliant shot from the right of the circle. Argentina’s increased intensity in the final quarter overwhelmed South Africa, who ultimately had to settle for a two-goal defeat despite a tremendous effort.
South Africa Pool B Group Stage Fixtures and Results
Sun 28 Jul – Australia 2-1 South Africa
Mon 29 Jul – South Africa 2-4 Argentina
Wed 31 Jul – South Africa v Great Britain
Thu 1 Aug – South Africa v Spain
Sat 3 Aug – South Africa v United States of America
Team South Africa’s Women’s Hockey Squad at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Anelle Lloyd
Celia Seerane
Stephanie Botha
Edith Molikoe
Kristen Paton
Onthatile Zulu
Dirkie Chamberlain
Paris-Gail Isaacs
Taheera Augousti
Erin Christie
Ntsopa Mokoena
Hannah Pearce
Ongeziwe Mali
Marie Louw
Kayla de Waal
Quanita Bobbs
Photo Caption: After opening scoring, and emboldened South African woman took the fight to Argentina in their second Olympic Games Pool B group match, at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Paris, France, on Monday, 29 July, 2024. Photo: FIH
