The French had the momentous victory against India spurring them on while the South Africans were still looking for their first in the prestigious tournament. It was also the first meeting between the two sides since they met in November 2018 at Wits University in a four-match series that the French won 3-0.

France played their hand first winning a penalty corner after a successful review, but Gowan Jones kept Victor Charlet at bay. It wouldn’t take long for France to take the lead though and South Africa really should have done better to clear the ball that was bundled home. South Africa thought they had pulled level a few minutes later when brilliant work by Bili Ntuli set himself up and his reverse stick shot came cannoning back off the upright.

South Africa were immediately punished when seconds after a green card they conceded a second penalty corner. But Keenan Horne charged it down superbly to keep the difference down at 1. France was then awarded a green card, but they caught the South Africans napping and a superb diving deflection by Goyet set up an empty net finish for Rogeau.

Early in the second quarter South Africa were thankful for a wonderful save from Estiaan Kriek after an error gave the French a chance, they would have been optimistic about burying. South Africa produced a good passage of play that earned a penalty corner, but the deflected strike was brilliantly saved by Thieffry. As the tempers continued to raise, Kriek made a good double save at a penalty corner before Mustapha Cassiem wasted an opportunity to pull one goal back after a fine break.

South Africa and France were fairly even in making opportunities, but the French defensive unit was equipping themselves better in dousing any possible fire as the clock wound down to half-time. And that would ultimately be the story of the second quarter as the half-time break sounded with the French leading 2-0.

South Africa had the first big opportunity in the second half. Dayaan Cassiem made a wonderful run and fired over the top. A second opportunity arose shortly after, but it again wasn’t converted. South Africa were looking more intense at the start of the second half, but they knew from the match against India that they had to make the period of domination count and it just wasn’t clicking for the South Africans. And as they did against India they were made to pay as a defensive deflection ahead of Gowan Jones gave him zero chance and the French a 3-0 lead. It could have been rubbed in further but once again Keenan Horne was sublime in his running lines to deny the French penalty corner unit. Thieffry was then called into action from a Dayaan Cassiem shot, but in truth it was not the toughest save he would have to make. 3-0 at the end of the third quarter.

South Africa had given a far better account of themselves in this game, but too many moments of opportunity were turned down. The kind of lessons that will need to be learnt quickly as the tournament progresses throughout the year. And they were punished once again for failing to take the opportunities as another poor defensive touch left the goalkeeper with no chance and Clement finished easily.

South Africa should have scored late on as Dayaan Cassiem was sent through by his brother, but his scooped finish hit the crossbar. He would make amends shortly after as the same combination was finished this time, 4-1.

The goal would ultimately be a consolation as the South Africans were made to pay for a slow start. The two teams meet again on Sunday night in their return fixture.