Hannah Courtney – ACK Sports Photography
South Africa tightened their grip on the four-Test series against Namibia on Tuesday with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Elkanah House in Cape Town, giving the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead heading into the remaining fixtures.
There Proteas are facing their northern neighbours in the series which forms and integral part of their preparations for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands which gets underway in a month from now.
While it was another winning performance by the Proteas, it was also a memorable evening for three players. Ongeziwe Mali and Marlise van Tonder celebrated their 50th senior international caps, while Baylee Engelke marked her long-awaited debut for South Africa.
Goalkeeper Marlise van Tonder celebrates her 50th cap – ACK Sports Photography
The hosts wasted little time stamping their authority on the contest. Hannah Pearce continued her fine goalscoring form by firing home her third goal of the series with another expertly executed drag flick to hand South Africa an early lead.
Despite the dream start, South Africa struggled to build momentum as a disciplined Namibian outfit frustrated the home side throughout the opening half. Namibia defended resolutely, breaking up South Africa’s attacking rhythm and limiting clear-cut opportunities.
The visitors also threatened from penalty corners, but the <a href="https://absafricatv.com/baneng-naape-what-it-takes-to-participate-in-the-south-african-economy/” title=”BANENG NAAPE | What it takes to participate in the South African economy”>South African defence stood tall whenever it was called upon, ensuring the hosts carried a slender 1-0 advantage into the halftime break.
South Africa looked far more threatening after the interval and nearly doubled their lead when Kayla de Waal’s penalty corner effort was brilliantly kept out by Namibian goalkeeper Petro Stoffberg.
De Waal eventually got the reward her performance deserved. Excellent work from Stephanie Botha opened up the space, and De Waal kept her composure in front of goal to calmly slot home South Africa’s second and effectively put the contest beyond Namibia.
Hannah Pearce opened the scoring minutes into the Test – ACK Sports Photography
Although the Proteas will be pleased to have wrapped up the series with two matches still to play, they may feel the margin of victory should have been greater after creating a number of promising attacking opportunities that went unfinished.
South Africa will now look to maintain their unbeaten record and clinch the series when the third Test gets underway at Elkanah House High School inn Blouberg on Thursday at 17:00.
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