SA show defensive grit and growth but Dutch take second hockey Test in Cape Town
International Hockey Series
Birthday boy Sam Mvimbi led the SA men's national hockey team in the second Test against the Netherlands at Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town on Friday.
Image: Jan van Zyl
The Netherlands men's national hockey team completed a two-match series victory over the SA men's hockey team with a 4 0 win in the second Test at Hartleyvale Stadium in Cape Town, but there was a noticeable defensive improvement from Devon van der Merwe's charges over Wednesday's opening 5-0 loss at the same venue.
In that match, the Olympic and FIH Hockey Pro League champions had led 3-0 at halftime in the earlier match, but they were unable to break down a stubborn and well-organised SA defence till after the break on Friday.
The South Africans denied the Dutch time and again through disciplined structure and committed work without the ball. Goalkeeper Cullin de Jager was central to that effort, producing a number of quality saves as the visitors searched for an opening.
The breakthrough finally came early in the second half when Miles Bukkens converted a penalty corner to make it 1-0.
The South Africans continued to show attacking intent, with Litha Kraai and Zenani Kraai providing energy and moments of excitement, but the score remained unchanged heading into the final quarter.
Birthday boy Sam Mvimbi skippered the SA side in the absence of stalwart Dayaan Cassiem. The team clearly missed their general's experience, ability to control the tempo of their play and disrupt opposition attacks, while younger brother Mustapha's ability to drive the team forward and create moments of magic out of nothing was also sorely missed.
Veteran keepr Cullin de Jager had an outstanding match in goal for SA against the Netherlands on Friday, especially in the first half where the visitors threatened to run away with the match.
Image: NS Pics 7
Early in the fourth quarter the Netherlands doubled their lead through a penalty corner, before Bukkens struck again from another set piece and Dutch captain Thierry Brinkman completed the scoring to seal a 4 0 victory.
South Africa also created opportunities of their own, earning several penalty corners, especially later in the match, but will be disappointed not to have found a breakthrough from the set piece.
While the result favoured the visitors, there were many positives for the South Africans across the series that is vital preparation for the World Cup later this year, particularly in the defensive resilience and intensity a young team showed against the top-ranked side in the world.