Fine margins defined the contest, and South Africa found the decisive moment to claim a 1–0 victory and seal a 3–0 series win over Canada in the final encounter in the five-match series at the Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria, Gauteng, on Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Another tight Test encounter closed out the series as South Africa and Canada once again showed a deep understanding of each other’s game, and the hosts looked most dangerous when Edith Molikoe was pulling the strings in midfield, and she helped drive an early attacking spell that earned the hosts the first penalty corner of the match.
The opportunity went begging as execution let them down. Ntsopa Mokoena was lively early, finding good pockets of space, while another South African penalty corner was well saved by Marcia Laplante.
Mokoena later forced a save with a sharp reverse-stick effort as South Africa edged the opening exchanges. 0–0 at the end of the first quarter.
Canada enjoyed a period of possession early in the second quarter but, as had been the theme of the series, struggled to turn control into clear chances.
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Their best opportunity of the match was snuffed out brilliantly by Molikoe, before Mokoena produced a breathtaking run that lifted the crowd and created a chance she was unable to convert. A South African deflection then drifted just wide, while Canada earned a penalty corner of their own, only to find the foot of a teammate. 0–0 at half time.
The breakthrough finally came in the third quarter. Mokoena slipped a pass through to Laiken Brisset, who did well under pressure to square the ball across the circle. Cerian Fourie was perfectly placed to collect and fire through the goalkeeper into the bottom-left corner, giving South Africa a deserved 1–0 lead.
South Africa thought they had doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but the goal was correctly ruled out for dangerous play. Canada pushed hard in the closing stages, stretching the South African defence, but the hosts held firm to close out the match and the series.
Results of the 2026 South Africa vs Canada 5-Test Women’s Hockey International Series at Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria, Gauteng
9 January – South Africa 5-0 Canada
10 January – South Africa 0-0 Canada
11 January – South Africa 2-0 Canada
16 January – South Africa 0-0 Canada
17 January – South Africa 1-0 Canada
Original Copy: Hockey South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Nomza Mzizi drives the possession up the field during the final encounter. South Africa found the decisive moment when Cerian Fourie scored in the third quarter to claim a 1–0 victory and seal a 3–0 series win over Canada in the final encounter in the five-match series at the Hoërskool Menlopark in Pretoria, Gauteng, on Saturday, 17 January 2026. All Photos: Marcel Sigg / Run Ride Dive via SA Hockey
Photo 2 Caption: Taheera Augousti vigilant as the dangerous Canadian field hockey team prepares to launch another assault during the evenly-matched international Test series.
