South Africa enjoyed one of their great Hartleyvale nights as they defeated New Zealand in a dramatic shootout to secure a second FIH Nations Cup Final appearance.
New Zealand, ranked 11th in the world, arrived with an unbeaten record in FIH Nations Cup history, while South
Africa were without two major attacking weapons in Nic Spooner and Mustapha Cassiem heading into this semi-final. Adding further intrigue, the Black Sticks are coached by Greg Nicol, the all-time leading goal scorer for South Africa.
The hosts started brightly and earned an early penalty corner, but Carlon Mentoor’s effort was saved by New Zealand goalkeeper Dominic Dixon. New Zealand soon won a penalty corner of their own and Kane Russell powered home a drag-flick for a 1-0 lead.
South Africa enjoyed good spells of possession in the opening quarter but struggled to turn territory into clear shots on goal.
The second quarter saw South Africa grow in confidence. The home side continued to apply pressure, forcing a number of penalty corners as they pushed for a way back into the contest. After a couple of chances went unconverted, Calvin Davis stepped up and delivered the moment South Africa needed, firing home from a penalty corner to level the score at 1-1.
It was a deserved equaliser and, at half-time, the scoreline felt a fair reflection of a hard-fought semi-final.
The third quarter produced one of the moments of the tournament. Jamie Seale launched a run down the right flank, driving forward with
pace and precision before delivering a ball into the circle. Kenton Melville’s finished well to make it four goals in four games and give South Africa a 2-1 lead.
New Zealand responded with pressure of their own and South Africa conceded a few penalty corners, but Cullin de Jager stood tall. South Africa carried their 2-1 lead into the final quarter, but New Zealand found a way back. After a broken penalty corner routine, the South African
defence did not react quickly enough to the second phase. Boyde fired the ball back into the danger area, where Fin Ward produced the deflection to bring New Zealand level at 2-2.
Both teams had half chances to win it in the closing stages, but neither could find the final touch, sending the semi-final to a shootout.
That was where Cullin de Jager took over.
The South African goalkeeper held firm under immense pressure, saving all four New Zealand attempts in the shootout. At the
other end, South Africa converted through Niel Raath and Hans Neethling to seal a famous victory.
The result sent South Africa into Saturday’s FIH Nations Cup Final against France.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze