South African Women’s Hockey team took to the turf one last time for the final test match against Germany in a tightly-contested tie played at SACS in Newlands, Cape Town, on Sunday 26 November.
Taking on the world’s fifth-ranked team was an ideal way of assessing growth within the South African side that gained 150 ranking points and two world ranking positions in the past 12 months.
As the team took to the field, Onthatile Zulu was cheered and acknowledged as she reached her 50th cap for the country. Thati debuted for South Africa at the 2019 African Hockey Road to Tokyo event.
The German side struggled to show dominance as SA gave them a fight that the home team can be proud off. Even though Germany benefitted from the opening goal, from a Viktoria Huse penalty corner, the crowd continue to cheer the hosts on, in anticipation of an equalising goal.
South Africa didn’t let up, and there was no advance in the score through the second and third quarters, as each side struggled to gain the upper hand.
But it was Germany that struck the final goal of the day, courtesy of captain Nike Lorenz, to claim clean sweep of the test series.
With signs of positivity and growth in the South African camp, and this excellent experience against top-flight international opposition, all eyes now turn to the buildup to Paris 2024.
SA Women’s Hockey Team vs Germany
Anelle van Deventer
Antonette Louw
Aphiwe Dimba
Bianca Wood
Cailyn den Bakker
Celia Seerane
Dirkie Chamberlain
Edith Molike
Erin Christie
Hanrie Louw
Jean-Leigh du Toit
Kirsty Adams
Laylaa Davids
Ongizwe Mali
Onthatile Zulu
Stephanie Botha
Tarryn Lombard
Photo Caption: South African Women’s Hockey team played with distinction but narrowly lost the second and final test match against world no.5 Germany at SACS in Newlands, Cape Town, on Sunday morning, as the Road to Paris campaign swings into gear. Photo: Ray Chaplin
Photo 2 Caption: Onthatile Zulu was warmly applauded as the SA Women’s hockey team took to the field, to honour and celebrate her 50 caps in the green and gold. Photo: SA Women’s Hockey on IG
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