South Africa versus New Zealand has been a trending fixture in South African sport in 2023 and its latest chapter was etched in Chile as the two junior hockey sides met in the 13-16 places FIH Junior World Cup playoff in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday, 7 December.
Both New Zealand and South Africa had been consigned to this bracket after losing a shootout in their respective matches against India and Korea.
Both sides had penalty corners in the opening quarter but neither team was able to make an impact and breach the goal-box, in fact: It was a quarter of very few clear-cut chances.
South Africa though would open the scoring in the second quarter through Paris-Gail Isaacs, her cleverly placed shot throwing the keeper off, and it would remain 1-0 until the half-time break.
The African champions would score the second though. Rea Phume was fed the ball near the top of the circle. Brodie Cochrane put her under pressure, but the South African top goal scorer managed to nestle the ball over the line and double the lead.
The Black Sticks would pull a goal back as they produced a different type of variation that saw the ball run all the way round to the baseline before it was converted on the pull back to set up a frenetic final 15 minutes.
Malikah Hamza led a counter attack soon after a penalty corner for New Zealand and the South Africans made their opposition pay. Hamza’s ball into the circle was diverted into the path of Ane Janse van Vuuren, whose shot was deflected home, to re-establish the two-goal cushion.
Despite New Zealand pulling their keeper to have an extra outfield player, South Africa was able to contain any further challenge from the Black Sticks, and secured another South African sporting victory over the Kiwis.
South Africa will now take on their Southern African neighbours Zimbabwe in the 13th place playoff for a repeat of the Junior African Cup final, in Santiago on Saturday.
The Tournament Reaches Semi-Finals Stage
It was a busy day for all the eight teams at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Chile with high stakes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the prestigious event. While Netherlands and Argentina had easy wins and surged their way through to the semis, England and Belgium won by just one goal each, with their respective opponents giving them a tough fight till the end of the 60th minute.
Leading Results at the FIH Junior World Cup playoff in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday, 7 December:
Netherlands 4-1 Spain
England 1-0 Germany
Belgium 1-0 Japan
Argentina 3-1 Australia
Click here to see the schedule for the upcoming fixtures (External FIH link)
Photo Caption: South Africa turned up the heat to bat New Zealand 3-1 for their first match win at the FIH Junior World Cup, and will face neighbours Zimbabwe in their final battle, in the 13th/14th place playoff, in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday, 7 December. Photo: FIH
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