English Too Slick as Junior SA Team Go Down in Santiago Bruiser

South Africa endured a bruising encounter against a slick English outfit eager to ignite their own campaign in their second FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 fixture, at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped in Santiago, Chile in South America, on Thursday, 4 December 2025. All Photos: worldsportpics.com/Frank Uijlenbroek via FIH

South Africa faced a slick English outfit eager to ignite their own campaign in their second FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 fixture of the tournament, at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped in Santiago, Chile in South America, on Thursday, 4 December 2025.

The encounter proved a far tougher assignment for the young South Africans, who fought throughout but ultimately fell to a four-one defeat.

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After drawing their opening match against China, England came out with real intent and their pace and precision created a wave of early pressure.

South Africa absorbed as much as they could but the breakthrough eventually arrived from a penalty corner that gave the English a deserved lead.

South Africa responded with two early penalty corners of their own in the second quarter as they pushed hard for a way back into the contest. 

While the opportunities did not produce the equaliser, the quarter was far more balanced as the South Africans settled into the tempo and restricted the European chances. 

After SA trailed 1-nil at halftime, England scored in the third and twice in the final quarter, before a late consolation goal by Ntsopa Mokoena.
After SA trailed 1-nil at halftime, England scored in the third and twice in the final quarter, before a late consolation goal by Ntsopa Mokoena.

The half closed with England holding a one-goal advantage.

The match stayed alive through the third quarter with South Africa working tirelessly to stay within reach, but England found a crucial second in the final minute of the period through Lottie Bingham, which shifted the momentum once more.

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England added further goals in the final quarter through a penalty corner and a penalty stroke each to Biba Mills within a minute, which widened the margin more than the general flow of the game suggested. 

South Africa kept competing and were rewarded late on, when Ntsopa Mokoena reacted quickest to a rebound to pull one back.

The African champs now turn their attention to their final pool match against China, where they will look to finish as high up the group as possible.

South Africa’s Pool D Group Fixtures (all Matches 14h00 CAT)

2 Dec: South Africa 4-1 Austria
4 Dec: South Africa 1-4 England
6 Dec: South Africa vs China

South Africa Playing XI and Bench

2 Leah du Plessis
4 Germarie Spershott
5 Tara Pakendorf
7 Taheera Augousti
9 Anja Tromp
10 Ane Janse van Vuuren (C)
13 Paris-Gail Isaacs
17 Ntsopa Mokoena
19 Hannah Quinton
24 Reabetswe Phume
25 Richele Norval (GK)

Substitutes

6 Jodie Blows
8 Emily Macquet
11 Thabelani Metu
14 Baylee Engelke
16 Nomsa Mzizi
18 Teshawn De la Rey
26 Manisha Desai (GK)

England Playing XI and Bench

5 Freya Robinson
6 Sienna Dunn Sienna (C)
8 Molly Smith (GK)
9 Sofia Martin
11 Minnie Pollock
15 Biba Mills
16 Lottie Bingham
22 Josefina Hippe
23 Beth Gardens
28 Jessica Dyson
35 Hannah Boss

Substitutes

7 Mia Moore
10 Evie Grindal
13 Tilly Crampsie
14 Tilly Woodhead (GK)
17 Hollie Dring-Richardson
19 Liv Breed
21 Izzy Yonge

The FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 in Santiago, Chile, from 1 to 13 December, 2025

Pool A

Netherlands
Japan
Chile
Malaysia

Pool B

Argentina
Belgium
Zimbabwe
Wales

Pool C

Germany
India
Ireland
Namibia

Pool D

England
South Africa
China
Austria

Pool E

Australia
Spain
Canada
Scotland

Pool F

United States
Korea
New Zealand
Uruguay

Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: South Africa endured a bruising encounter against a slick English outfit eager to ignite their own campaign in their second FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 fixture, at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped in Santiago, Chile in South America, on Thursday, 4 December 2025. All Photos: worldsportpics.com/Frank Uijlenbroek via FIH

Photo 2 Caption: After SA trailed 1-nil at halftime, England scored in the third and twice in the final quarter, before a late consolation goal by Ntsopa Mokoena.

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