South Africa and France renewed their rivalry in the fifth test match on Friday afternoon after a couple of days rest, with the South Africans leading the series 2-1, in their fifth encounter at SACS High School in Cape Town, on Friday, 26 January, 2024.
The South Africans and French effectively cancelled each other out in the first half with limited chances for both teams.
South Africa was more dominant in the possession with the French playing on the counter attack. South Africa won two penalty corners but were unable to convert the opportunity and the game progressed to the half-time break goal-less.
The tension was clearly starting to rise as the two teams felt the moment growing towards a potential crescendo.
Despite South Africa shading the possession and having a lot of ball in dangerous areas, there were limited chances. France broke the deadlock with their first penalty corner of the game finished by Ines Lardeur.
South Africa would have a penalty corner themselves, but Marie Louw’s shot was well saved. The third quarter ending with the score 1-0 to the French.
South Africa continued to push in the final quarter with Quanita Bobbs and Celia Seerane combining to create space on several occasions, but the low block of the French was proving frustratingly difficult to break down. France almost caught South Africa on the break from a long aerial, but the resultant penalty corner produced nothing.
South Africa then struck the crossbar and the upright in successive minutes from penalty corners as they somehow failed to get the ball over the line.
The South Africans found themselves almost camped in the French 23 and earned another penalty corner. This time it was well defended and the French continued to hang on to a one goal lead.
Bianca Wood, Ntsopa Mokoena and Thati Zulu were throwing everything they could at the French defense, but they produced perfectly timed tackles continuously under pressure.
Despite the massive effort from the South Africans, it was France who held on to win the test 1-0 and level the series 2-2 ahead of the final test match on Sunday.
South Afriva vs France Summer Hockey Test Series, at SACS in Cape Town from 18 – 28 January, 2024
Thu 18 Jan, 19:30: South Africa 2-0 France
Sat, 20 Jan, 14:30: South Africa 2-1 France
Mon, 22 Jan, 17:30: South Africa 1-4 France
Tue, 23 Jan, 17:30: South Africa 2-2 France
Fri, 26 Jan, 15:45: South Africa 0-1 France
Sun, 28 Jan, 15:00: 6th Test
South African Women’s Hockey Team vs France
Anelle van Deventer
Antonet Louw
Aphiwe Dimba
Bianca Wood
Cailynn Den Bakker
Celia Seerane
Charlene Boshoff
Dirkie Chamberlain
Onthatile Zulu
Paris-Gail Isaacs
Quanita Bobbs
Reabetswe Phume
Stephanie Botha
Taheera Augousti
Tarryn Lombard
France Women’s Hockey Team
Quitterie Le Naour
Catherine Clot
Emma Ponthieu
Mickaela Lahlah
Paola Le Nindre
Yohanna Lhopital
Philippine Delemazure
Marie Simon
Gabrielle Verrier
Alice Lesgourgues
Victoire Arnaud
Guusje Van Bolhuis
Mathilde Duffrene
Pauline Varoqui
Eve Verzura
Ines Lardeur
Lucie Ehrmann
Albane Garot
Delfina Gaspari
Tessa-Margot Schubert
Mathilde Petriaux
Head Coach: Gael Foulard
Main Photo Caption: France weathered every South African attack to win the fifth test match on Friday afternoon and level the series, with the decider decider awaited on Sunday afternoon at SACS High School in Cape Town. Photo: (c) Ray Chaplin www.raychaplin.photography
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