The South African Women opened their four-Test series against Namibia with a convincing 4-0 victory at Elkanah House High School in Cape Town on Monday, 20 July 2026.
The series forms a key part of South Africa’s final preparations for the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands in August, where they will face England, China and India, and offers the team a valuable opportunity to fine-tune combinations and finalise their squad.
The match also marked a special milestone for Ntsopa Mokoena, who earned her 50th international cap.
South Africa started brightly but initially struggled to turn their possession into clear goal-scoring opportunities. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute through Kayla de Waal, who turned sharply before firing a low strike past Namibia goalkeeper Petro Stoffberg at the near post.
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The home side doubled their advantage two minutes later from a penalty corner when Hannah Pearce stepped up and powered a drag flick beyond Stoffberg for her sixth international goal.
Namibia improved as the opening half progressed, disrupting South Africa’s rhythm and limiting the number of clear chances created, but South Africa carried their 2-0 advantage into the half-time break.
Pearce added her second of the match in the 36th minute, finding space during the second phase of a penalty corner and guiding the ball into the far corner.
Mokoena then capped her milestone appearance with her 12th international goal in the 51st minute, finishing off excellent work from Onthatile Zulu down the right-hand side, and was later named Player of the Match.
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South Africa continued to create dangerous circle entries but will look for greater consistency and quality in front of goal as the series progresses. It was nevertheless a positive opening victory for South Africa, who maintained their unbeaten international record against Namibia.
The second Test takes place on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 at 17h00 at Elkanah House High School.
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, 17h00: South Africa vs. Namibia (Elkanah House High School)
Thurs 23 July, 17h00: South Africa vs. Namibia (Elkanah House High School)
Fri 24 July, 14h00: South Africa vs. Namibia (Hartleyvale Stadium)
South Africa Starting Lineup
1 Morgan de Jager (goalkeeper)
4 Stephanie Botha
5 Edith Molikoe (captain)
7 Taheera Augousti
10 Onthatile Zulu
12 Ntsopa Mokoena
18 Hannah Pearce
21 Ongeziwe Mali
35 Lerato Mahole
37 Tegan Fourie
38 Shanna Mendonca
Substitutes
13 Paris-Gail Isaacs
26 Cailynn den Bakker
27 Kayla de Waal
31 Marlise van Tonder (goalkeeper)
34 Ané Janse van Vuuren
40 Bianca Wood
44 Laiken Brisset
Namibia Starting Lineup
1 Petro Stoffberg (goalkeeper)
3 Azaylee Philander
4 Sunelle Pretorius (captain)
8 Jivanka Kruger
10 Marika Neethling
11 Abigail Rowles
12 Gillian Hermanus
15 Jahntwa Kruger
16 Amber Dercksen
19 Taramarie Myburgh
24 Charlize Rix
Substitutes
2 Jasmine Cartwright (goalkeeper)
6 Nicola Fourie
7 Leila Grögli
9 Alice Rowles
13 Tamara Grögli
18 Sienna Richards
22 Erin Moffet
The South African Squad for the Namibia Test Series
Ané Janse van Vuuren
Baylee Engelke
Bianca Wood
Cailynn den Bakker
Caylin Maree
Cerian Fourie
Daniella de Oliveira
Edith Molikoe
Hannah Pearce
Jean-Leigh du Toit
Kayla de Waal
Laiken Brisset
Lerato Mahole
Marlise van Tonder
Morgan de Jager
Nomsa Mzizi
Ntsopa Mokoena
Ongeziwe Mali
Onthatile Zulu
Paris-Gail Isaacs
Shanna Mendonca
Stephanie Botha
Taheera Augousti
Tegan Fourie
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Ntsopa Mokoena earned her 50th international cap, scored her 12th international goal, and was named Player of the Match as South Africa beat Namibia 4-0 in the opening Test of their four-match series at Elkanah House High School in Cape Town on Monday, 20 July 2026. All Photos: / SA Hockey
Photo 2 Caption: The South African Women are up and running in their pre-World Cup four-Test series, beating Namibia 4-0 in Cape Town.
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