Kaitlyn Lee was adjudged the Player of the Match as Australia beat hosts South Africa for the visitor’s second win on the trot on Day 2 of the Nkosi Cup 2025 at the Wynberg Military Base Stadium in Cape Town, on Saturday, 13 December 2025.
Fresh from their record-breaking victory in the morning session, Australia faced a tough test from the tournament hosts, as South Africa started best and took an early lead through Tatum Kroutz in the seventh minute of the game.
Australia though fought back with persistence and immediately restored parity through Kelsey Hughes, before a brilliant second quarter saw Kaitlyn Lee and Caitlin Burns open up the lead for Australia.
Ella White and Jamie Zimmerman then put the foot down to give the Oceania giants a 5-1 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
South Africa fought back in the final quarter and created a number of chances, circle entries, and struck the upright. But they had to wait until the last minute to pull a consolation back through Malikah Hamza.
It was a disappointment for the hosts, who will look to bounce back when they play Zimbabwe on Sunday.
In the session’s earlier fixture, Zimbabwe were desperate for a better defensive display following their harrowing defeat to Australia, while New Zealand looked to bounce back from defeat against Namibia.
It was a tight battle with good opportunities at a premium, so much so that the half-time score was a rare 0-0. Incredibly, that too was the score at 35 minutes, as both teams struggled to find a breakthrough.
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It did come though for Eliza Roxborough-Judd and New Zealand with just three minutes remaining, but Zimbabwe produced the late, late show through Alexei Terblanche to secure a draw and keep their Semi-Final hopes hanging on.
Original Copy: South Africa Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Tatum Kroutz gave South Africa an early lead in the seventh minute of their game against Australia, before the Oceana giants established their superiority to take the match 5-2 in Cape Town, on Saturday, 13 December 2025. All Photos: NS Pics 7
Photo 2 Caption: Malikah Hamza pulled back a consolation goal in the final minute of the fourth quarter after South Africa fought Australia hard.
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