After months of planning, uncertainty and frustration, there was clear joy when the sides sprinted on in front of a vociferous crowd.

England created the first opportunity of the match, but Mishka Ellis was untroubled in her defensive efforts. South Africa then saw dual indoor and outdoor national star Kayla de Waal create a big opportunity, but she struggled to connect with the strike. Despite the South African’s starting to get the upper hand it was the English who won the games first penalty corner. From the penalty corner Lorna Mackenzie got herself on the scoresheet, the first goal of the tournament. It was the only goal of the first quarter as both teams would be frustrated by the scrappiness of the play in the first quarter.

The hosts were trying to play on the break as they looked to intercept play, but it was not bearing too much fruit and it was England who had Mishka Ellis to thank for the score remaining just 1 down when she pulled off a great save. South Africa were failing to connect in the big moments and were getting frustrated by the inability to hold sustained possession in the game.

At the half time break both coaches spoke about the nervousness playing a role in the game and the lack of opportunity taking, with both hoping for a better second half.

South Africa won their first penalty corner of the game in the second quarter when Kayla de Waal did wonderfully to create the opportunity. It was another case of missed opportunity as the chance was not properly trapped and the South Africans saw a golden opportunity go missing.

England earned their second of the game themselves later in the quarter but despite a great run from Zulu in charging down the first shot, the South Africans did not clear up the rebound and the resultant shot was stopped on the line by the body of Jean Leigh Du Toit. Captain Millie Giglio stood up and fired home superbly from the spot to make it 2-0 at the end of the third quarter.

England should have been 3-0 up early in the 4th quarter but a golden opportunity was turned down by Axford when she passed on the opportunity to pass, and the South Africans scrambled clear. To the credit of both teams, they continued to fight and look for another goal in the game. England would be the one that found it though as a wonderful drag flick finish from a penalty corner saw Mackenzie get her second.

Despite big last minute efforts South Africa were left without a consolation goal as they settled for an opening game defeat.