For the South Africans the opportunity to play the top nations in World Hockey was massive in the development of the team towards the FIH Hockey World Cup, the Commonwealth Games and other challenges they are due to face in the next couple of months. Germany had, on the other hand, the perfect three-game stint so far, with a 100% record.

For the South African side, it was a great opportunity to celebrate Peabo Lembethe and Ryan Julius, both of whom were awarded their 50th caps for the country. In the opening quarter, the South Africans looked to catch an early break and made a few circle entries, but they did not test the German Keeper. Germany would, however, take the lead when a referral saw a penalty corner upgraded to a penalty stroke and Ruhr made no mistake.

South Africa were being tested with some penalty corners but the defensive work in that regard was superb in the opening half of the game, denying a number of German attempts, including a superb one onto the post by Gowan Jones. The ease with which the South Africans were giving the ball away in the middle of the park, though, was something that was frustrating for the management team as a number of counterattacks fizzled out with poor execution.

The Germans added a second when another referral was upgraded to a penalty stroke, much to the surprise of both teams, and Hellwig finished superbly, giving Jones no chance. It remained 2-0 at the break.

South Africa again looked up for the fight early in the second half and created a real goal-scoring opportunity on the counter when Dayaan Cassiem had a shot that was saved fairly routinely. South Africa were making a number of defensive interventions with Estiaan Kriek quite commanding in goals. With just 6 seconds left in the third quarter, the Germans won a penalty corner and a variation saw the post struck and the score remain 2-0 with one quarter left.

Early in the final quarter, Germany won another PC and despite the save from Gowan Jones, South Africa failed to clean up the rebound and it was 3-0 to the Europeans as Kaufmann accepted the gift. The hosts then won their first penalty corner of the match but the Germans kept it out and the quick, long corner was then saved too. Not long after, though, SA got another opportunity and this time it was a rocket from Connor Beauchamp to give a small glimmer of hope with 12 minutes remaining.

Both teams showed signs of tiredness in the final exchanges as a number of passes failed to connect and in truth a game that was set for a fiery finish fizzled to its conclusion.

3-1 the final score with the Germans completing a perfect trip to South Africa, while the South Africans showed once again they are improving with each lesson at the FIH Pro League.