The South African Women’s Hockey team showcased their fine form as they secured a commanding 4-0 victory over France to win the away series 2-1. This timely confidence boost comes as the team fine-tunes their preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Securing the Series in Cambrai
On Saturday, 6 July 2024, the South African Women’s Hockey team played a stellar match in Cambrai, France. Having won the first match but falling to the home team in the second, the visitors knew they needed to secure a victory to claim the series.
South Africa got off to a great start, with Marie Louw finding the back of the net in the 6th minute from a penalty corner. This early goal propelled the team into the lead and set the tone for the rest of the match.
Dominant Performance
Giles Bonnet’s team maintained commanding form throughout the game, applying pressure when it mattered most. Marie Louw doubled the lead in the 17th minute after being awarded another penalty corner, making no mistake in ensuring her team held onto their advantage.
Kayla de Waal then showcased her scoring prowess, netting a field goal just two minutes later to take the visitors' score to 3-0 with one quarter left to play. De Waal sealed the victory with her second goal of the match in the 47th minute, securing a 4-0 win and the series victory.
Looking Ahead to the Paris Olympics
This win provides a much-needed confidence boost as the South African Women’s Hockey team prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will take place at the end of July. South Africa is placed in Group B for the Games and will face tough competition, including Australia, Argentina, Great Britain, Spain, and the United States.
Their first match is against the second-ranked Australia on Sunday, 28 July. This will be a challenging game, as the Aussies have three Olympic gold medals to their name. However, with their recent success, the South African team is ready to take on the challenge.
Final Words
The South African Women’s Hockey team’s victory over France not only secured a series win but also provided the team with a crucial morale boost as they head into the Olympics.
We wish them the best of luck as they continue to prepare and look forward to seeing them compete on the world stage.
Stay tuned for more updates and join us in cheering for our team as they aim for Olympic glory! Go South Africa!
#SouthAfricanWomen’sHockey #Olympics2024 #Thegotoguy
