There was no Olympic fairytale ending for veteran Dirkie Chamberlain who ran on for an incredible 250th cap for the South African team, who went down 1-0 to the USA in their final Pool B match at the Paris 2024 Games on Saturday, 3 August, 2024.
The 37-year-old Chamberlain is just the sixth South African woman to reach the 250-cap mark, but a penalty corner goal from Meredith Sholder in the third quarter saw the SA side go down 1-nil to the Americans, to end the tournament winless.
Taking on professional teams all ranked above them in the world standings, the SA side produced some incredible performances at these Games, losing only one of their pool matches by more than one goal.
At the previous Olympics in Tokyo, the South Africans lost by margins of four or five goals in some of their matches. The last time they played Australia before this tournament was at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, where they went down 5-0. This time the score was 2-1. And while the records will show they will be leaving the French capital without a win, the SA team are justifiably proud of what they have accomplished.
“It’s been an amazing experience just being here with the team…The belief that we had from the start until the end of the Olympics journey has been something out of this world,” said Ongeziwe Mali.
“It’s very exciting for South African hockey as it’s always been tough for us coming out on the world stage and facing teams that are well funded and have a great programme from start to end.
“So it’s been an amazing journey. Also, just coming up and being an Olympian is something that I’m forever grateful for… We hope to inspire the next generation and to give a sense of hope to never give up on one’s dream, and the sky’s the limit.”
Speaking about achieving her 250th cap, Chamberlain, who made her Olympic debut at the London Olympics in 2012, reckoned: “It’s one that’s taken a long time to come, but nevertheless, I have worked so hard to get there and just through the years having all the support around me, having this amazing team.
Photo: FIH
Photo: FIH
“South African hockey’s grown so much and I can only hope that they can keep growing where we’ve left now.
“I hope I’ve left the jersey in a better place. That’s one of the most important things I’ve wanted and I’m just super happy to be able to finish here.
“Unfortunately, not a win, but the performances we’ve given this week here at the Olympic Games, I’m so, so proud of my team. It’s incredible and hopefully they can keep going forward with this and the next generation can keep the ball rolling.”
250-Cap South African Hockey Veteran, Dirkie Chamberlain
Meanwhile, it was mission accomplished for Paige Badenhorst at the Olympic Games in Paris on Saturday. After missing out on the A/B semifinals of the single sculls earlier in the week, the Benoni rower had set her sights on at least a top-16 finish at her first Olympic Games.
Competing in the C final on Saturday, Badenhorst came through to finish in second place and 14th overall.
Her final was won by Serbia’s Jovana Arsic in a time of 7:26.09 with Badenhorst finishing in 7:27.76 – a time that was faster than the sixth-place finisher in the A final.
“I’m really happy with how today’s race went. I think it was a nice way to end off my first Olympics. I got a personal best in today’s race, so a good note to end on,” said Badenhorst, who added that she was disappointed to have missed out on the A/B semifinal.
“I think after the heat I saw my potential and I think I could have been in the B final, but I didn’t have my best race to get myself there. So I’m gutted that that didn’t work out, but I’m really happy with the way I ended things.
“I put out a really strong race. I’m very happy with how I executed it. So that’s a nice way to tie everything together towards the end.”
Badenhorst added that her first Olympic experience had made her hungry for more.
“I’ve loved every minute of being part of Team SA and representing my country. I just hope that I made everyone proud. It was really special how much my community and my family and my friends supported me.”
Mission Accomplished for Paige Badenhorst at the Olympic Games
“They’ve all been a part of this journey with me for a long time. For them to be so involved and with me until the end was really special.
“The Olympic bug is there and I definitely want to come back and improve on this performance. The next four years starts now and I’m looking forward to representing my country again and again and hopefully at the Olympics again,” she said.
Team South Africa’s Women’s Contingent and Paris 2024 Broadcast Updates
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Saturday, 27 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Sunday, 28 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Monday, 29 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Tuesday, 30 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Wednesday, 31 July, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Thursday, 1 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Friday, 2 August, 2024
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Results on Saturday, 3 August, 2024
Hockey
United States 1-0 South Africa
Rowing
Paige Badenhorst finished second to Serbia’s Jovana Arsic in 7:27.76 to claim 14th spot overall
Schedule of Events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday, 4 August, 2024
Athletics
12:35: 400m Hurdles Round One – Zeney Geldenhuys (Heat 3), Rogail Joseph (Heat 2)
Cycling
14:00: Women’s Road Race – Tiffany Keep and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio
Athletics
20:35: Prudence Sekgodiso 800m Semi-Finals (semi-final 3)
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: There was no Olympic fairytale ending for the South African women’s hockey team, who went down 1-0 to the USA in their final Pool B match at the Paris 2024 Games on Saturday, 3 August, 2024. Photo: FIH
Photo 2 Caption: Dirkie Chamberlain joins a select group of SA hockey players who have earned 250 caps in national colours. Photo: FIH
Photo 3 Caption: Ongeziwe Mali in action during SA Hockey women’s final Pool B match against the USA on Saturday. Photo: FIH
Photo 4 Caption: South African top goal-scorer Kayla de Waal working hard for a way through the USA’s defensive structures. Photo: FIH
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