The visitors struck early, opening the scoring in the first quarter when Pepijn van der Heijden converted a penalty corner to hand the Dutch a deserved lead. South Africa responded with real intent and earned a triple penalty-corner opportunity of their own, but Dutch goalkeeper Derk Meijer stood tall to deny the hosts. Despite the early pressure, the score remained 1–0 at the first break.

Sam Mvimibi - Jan van Zyl

The second quarter underlined exactly why the Netherlands are the reigning Olympic and FIH Pro League champions, and among the firm favourites for the World Cup later this year. Slick, high-tempo combinations carved open the South African defence as Koen Bijen doubled the lead, before skipper Thierry Brinkman added a third to put daylight between the sides. South Africa continued to create moments of promise, earning another penalty corner and seeing Niel Raath go close, his effort flashing just over the crossbar.

The third quarter was South Africa’s strongest spell of the match, with both teams cancelling each other out in an intense and physical contest. Cullin de Jager was outstanding in goal for the hosts, pulling off a series of sharp saves to keep the Dutch at bay. At the other end of the astro, Jamie Seale threatened before a superb build-up released Kenton Melville clean through on goal. His lifted finish sailed narrowly over the bar, lifting the volume levels inside Hartleyvale.

Early in the fourth quarter, a moment of ill-discipline reduced South Africa to ten men, and the Netherlands capitalised almost immediately. Thijs van Dam showed sublime skill with a brilliant touch to make it 4–0, before Koen Bijen completed his brace late on to seal a 5–0 win for the visitors.

Despite the scoreline, there were encouraging signs for the South Africans against one of the very best teams in world hockey.

Co-captain Sam Mvimbi admitted it was a tale of two halves, with the Olympic champions far more clinical in the opening exchanges.

Nic Spooner - Jan van Zyl

“It was really a game of two halves for us,” said Mvimbi. “They came out firing and we weren’t quite there in the first 30 minutes, which was disappointing.

“But I thought we responded well in the second half, and that’s something we can build on. We’ll go back, do a bit of nitpicking and hard work, and hopefully come out much better in the first half on Friday.”

Mvimbi added that the team are determined to bounce back in the second Test and reward the Cape Town supporters who turned out in force.

“It’s always special playing in Cape Town – the crowd is fantastic and the support means a lot to us as players,” he said.

“We’re really grateful for everyone who came out, and we’re expecting the same kind of backing on Friday. If you haven’t heard about it yet, please pull through and support the boys. We’ll be looking to put in a much better performance.”

The second and final Test in the Mother City will also be played at Hartleyvale Stadium on Friday, with play set to get under way at 15:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport