The South African Women produced a superb opening five minutes on their way to a 4-1 victory over Namibia that sealed the series in the third Test at Elkanah House High School in Cape Town on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
Onthatile Zulu captained the South African side, who were looking to build on victories in the opening two matches of the four-Test series.
The home side could hardly have asked for a better start as they raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening five minutes.
Hannah Pearce opened the scoring in the second minute, calmly converting a penalty stroke to continue her impressive scoring form in the series.
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South Africa immediately increased the pressure and doubled their advantage a minute later. Stephanie Botha played an excellent ball through the Namibian defence, allowing Zulu to finish and mark the captaincy with a goal.
The score quickly became 3-0 in the fifth minute when Zulu shaped to shoot inside the circle and the ball ran through to Bianca Wood, who finished superbly to complete a dominant opening spell.
Following the fast start, South Africa continued to enjoy much of the possession and created several promising attacking opportunities. They will, however, be disappointed that they were unable to maintain the same level of intensity and put further distance between themselves and a determined Namibian side.
Namibia remained organised, worked hard defensively and prevented South Africa from adding to the score for much of the remainder of the contest.
South Africa eventually found their fourth goal in the 51st minute when Pearce converted a second penalty stroke to complete her brace.
Namibia continued to compete until the end and were rewarded with their first goal of the series when Charlize Rix scored a late consolation in the 59th minute past Marlise van Tonder.
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The result gives South Africa an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series, with all three victories providing valuable preparation ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup.
The fourth and final Test takes place on Friday, 24 July 2026, at 2pm at Hartleyvale Stadium.
The South Africa vs. Namibia Women’s Test Series from 20 July to 24 July 2026
Mon 20 July: South Africa 4-0 Namibia (Elkanah House High School)
Tue 21 July: South Africa 2-0 Namibia (Elkanah House High School)
Thurs 23 July: South Africa 4-1 Namibia (Elkanah House High School)
Fri 24 July, 14h00: South Africa vs. Namibia (Hartleyvale Stadium)
South Africa Starting XI
1 Morgan de Jager (goalkeeper)
4 Stephanie Botha
7 Taheera Augousti
10 Onthatile Zulu (captain)
13 Paris-Gail Isaacs
18 Hannah Pearce
27 Kayla de Waal
34 Ané Janse van Vuuren
35 Lerato Mahole
41 Baylee Engelke
44 Laiken Brisset
Substitutes
23 Jean-Leigh du Toit
30 Caylin Maree
31 Marlise van Tonder (goalkeeper)
37 Cerian Fourie
38 Shanna Mendonca
40 Bianca Wood
45 Nomsa Mzizi
Namibia Starting XI
1 Petro Stoffberg (goalkeeper)
3 Azaylee Philander
4 Sunelle Pretorius (captain)
7 Tamara Grögli
8 Jivanka Kruger
10 Marika Neethling
12 Gillian Hermanus
15 Jahntwa Kruger
19 Taramarie Myburgh
22 Erin Moffet
24 Charlize Rix
Substitutes
2 Jasmine Cartwright (goalkeeper)
6 Nicola Fourie
9 Alice Rowles
11 Abigail Rowles
13 Leila Grögli
16 Amber Dercksen
25 Allison January
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Hannah Pearce converted a penalty stroke in each half to take her series tally to five goals as South Africa beat Namibia 4-1 and clinched the series in the third Test at Elkanah House High School in Cape Town on Thursday, 23 July 2026. All Photos: ACK Sports Photography
Photo 2 Caption: Onthatile Zulu captained South Africa and marked the occasion with a goal in the 4-1 third Test victory over Namibia in Cape Town.
Photo 3 Caption: Bianca Wood struck inside the opening five minutes as South Africa raced into an early lead on their way to sealing the series in Cape Town.
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