The South Africans scored the only goal of the game to arrive in the top 8 for the 5th time in history, having achieved 6th twice (1997 & 2001) and 8th twice (2005 & 2013). They will be hoping that home ground advantage will play a massive role as they play the Dutch in this phase as they did in 2013 but hoping for a different result than the 9-1 defeat.

The South Africans have built their play on a resolute defence with Mishka Ellis finding good form in goal and Jean-Leigh du Toit putting in a number of no-nonsense tackles. One area that South Africa will be looking to be better in the knockout stages is in the attacking circle with the team clutching at few chances earlier on in the tournament.

For the Dutch the goals have flowed in from every angle in almost every minute with Jip Dicke and Luna Fokke having scored more goals individually than most teams at the tournament. They have scored 38 unanswered goals so far in the tournament as they easily swept aside United States of America, Canada and Zimbabwe. The Dutch have made each of the previous three finals, winning two of them and are desperate to win back the title they lost in 2016 to Argentina.

The winner of the match-up will take on either India or Korea in the Semi-Finals while the loser while play one of the two in the 5-8 bracket, with South Africa still able to secure a highest ever finish in the tournament, looking to better a previous high of the 6th.

Coach Lenise Marais knows the challenge ahead playing the free scoring Dutch side.

"We have loved the privilege of hosting the tournament so far! Its been special to be the first African hosts of any FIH World Cup and we are pleased that we are in the Quarter Finals. Netherlands are a wonderful team so we are looking forward to the game and we hope to deliver a good performance! Thank you to everyone who has supported our journey so far." 

This quarter-final at the North-West University will get underway at 11:15.