After more than a week of thrilling international hockey in the Mother City, the finalists will be determined as the race for Nations Cup glory reaches its climax. Hosts South Africa will be aiming to make a major statement when they face one of the pre-tournament favourites in front of what is expected to be another passionate home crowd.

The 5th to 8th-place playoffs will get proceedings underway in the shadow of Table Mountain, with Malaysia taking on the USA at 12:15.

Hans Neethling in the 4–0 win against the USA. Photo: FIH / World Sport Pics

The second playoff fixture promises plenty of intensity as Ireland, who narrowly missed out on a semi-final place on goal difference to South Africa, face Scotland in what should be a fiery Celtic clash at 14:30.

The first semi-final follows at 16:45 and will see Group B winners France, another of the tournament favourites, go head-to-head with Japan, who finished as runners-up in Group A.

Then comes the headline act. At 19:00, Group A winners New Zealand’s Black Sticks will take on hosts South Africa in a blockbuster semi-final at Hartleyvale.

The Black Sticks have been the standout team of the tournament so far, progressing through the competition unbeaten. They opened with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Scotland before thumping Korea 6–2, beating Malaysia 5–1 and overcoming Japan 5–2 to firmly establish themselves as the team to beat.

South Africa, meanwhile, has played one match fewer and should be the fresher of the two sides. Their campaign began with a 4–2 defeat to France in a match that was far closer than the scoreline suggested.

The Proteas bounced back in style with a convincing 4–0 victory over the USA before playing out a dramatic 3–3 draw against Ireland on Tuesday. The Irish snatched an equaliser with virtually the final touch of the game at Hartleyvale, but the result was enough to send South Africa through to the semi-finals.

Tevin Kok during the 3–3 draw against Ireland. Photo: FIH / World Sport Pics

Proteas centre link Nic Spooner, one of the most experienced players in the South African squad, told OFM Sport that while the Black Sticks will provide a stern test, the team is relishing the challenge.

“We’re really looking forward to the semi-final tomorrow night against New Zealand. It’s always great to have a chance to progress into a final.

“New Zealand is a very good side with a very strong record in the Nations Cup. They have not lost a game, if I’m not mistaken, so it will be a tough game tomorrow night.

Nic Spooner and the Proteas celebrating a goal against the USA. Photo: FIH / World Sport Pics

“We just hope we can put in a really strong performance in front of our home crowd here and progress to the final. We’re really looking forward to it, and we’ll do everything we can.”

One thing South Africa can certainly count on is vocal home support. Hartleyvale has produced a fantastic atmosphere throughout the tournament, with large crowds turning out to back the national team and several sessions drawing capacity attendance.

With a place in the final on the line and the prospect of a sold-out crowd behind them, the Proteas will be hoping to rise to the occasion and take one step closer to Nations Cup glory on home soil.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  sm