In a result that saw the hosts top the group and eliminate the African champions from the title race, Poland booked their place in the semi-finals of the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over South Africa in Wałcz, on Thursday, 19 June 2025.
South Africa entered the clash knowing only a win would be enough to secure progression. They couldn’t have asked for a better start, Quanita Bobbs reacted quickest to a loose ball in the circle and fired home a clinical opener to give the visitors an early lead.
However, the joy was short-lived as Poland struck back almost immediately. A lapse in defensive structure allowed too much space out wide, and a pinpoint cross found Hanna Wochna unmarked at the far post to level the scores.
With both teams needing victory to achieve their objectives, the game opened up into an entertaining end-to-end affair. Poland gained the lead when Oliwia Krychniak was afforded too much space in the circle and made no mistake with a composed finish. South Africa earned a penalty corner just before the end of the quarter, but it was well-defended, and they trailed 2-1 at the first break.
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Poland ramped up the pressure in the second quarter, winning a string of penalty corners. One of them led to a penalty stroke, and although Aphiwe Dimba guessed the right way, she couldn’t keep it out as Sandra Tatarczuk’s goal had the hosts extend their lead to 3-1.
South Africa had their chances, including a penalty corner of their own, but couldn’t find the telling touch. Dimba produced a superb save to keep her side in the contest, while Ntsopa Mokoena saw a quick-fire shot fly narrowly wide.
With time ticking away, South Africa threw everything forward and finally found a lifeline. Kayla de Waal produced a dynamic run and Daniella de Oliveira, showing great composure, pounced on the rebound to net her first international goal and cut the deficit to one.
Buoyed by the goal, South Africa pushed for an equaliser in the closing minutes, but Poland held firm to clinch the victory and progress to the final four. South Africa, meanwhile, will take a rest day before turning their focus to the 5–8 classification bracket.
Fixtures and Results for the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2 Poland 2024-2025 in Wałcz, Poland
Mon 16 Jun 2025: Italy 3 – 3 Wales
Mon 16 Jun 2025: France 3 – 0 Czechia
Mon 16 Jun 2025: South Africa 0 – 2 Uruguay
Mon 16 Jun 2025: Malaysia 0 – 0 Poland
Tue 17 Jun 2025: Wales 2-0 Czechia
Tue 17 Jun 2025: France 4-0 Italy
Tue 17 Jun 2025: Malaysia 1-3 South Africa
Tue 17 Jun 2025: Uruguay 1-1 Poland
Thu 19 Jun 2025: Italy vs Czechia
Thu 19 Jun 2025: Wales vs France
Thu 19 Jun 2025: Uruguay vs Malaysia
Thu 19 Jun 2025: South Africa 2-3 Poland
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (12:00) 5th-8th: South Africa vs Czechia
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (14:15) 5th-8th: Italy vs Malaysia
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (16:30) Semi-Final I: Uruguay vs Wales
Sat 21 Jun 2025 (18:45) Semi-Final 2: France vs Poland
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (12:00): 7th-8th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (14:15): 5th-6th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (16:30): 3rd-4th
Sun 22 Jun 2025 (18:45): FINAL
Pool A
Malaysia
Poland
South Africa
Uruguay
Pool B
Czechia
France
Italy
Wales
SA Women’s Squad – FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2
Aphiwe Dimba
Cailynn den Bakker
Cerian Fourie
Charné Maddocks
Daniella de Oliveira
Edith Molikoe
Hannah Pearce
Jean-Leigh du Toit
Kayla de Waal
Lerato Mahole
Marlise van Tonder
Ntsopa Mokoena
Ongeziwe Mali
Onthatile Zulu
Quanita Bobbs
Shanna Mendonca
Stephanie Botha
Tegan Fourie
Original Copy: Hockey SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: In a result that saw the hosts top the group and eliminate the African champions from the title race, Poland booked their place in the semi-finals of the inaugural FIH Nations Cup 2 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over South Africa in Wałcz, on Thursday, 19 June 2025. All Photos: FIH / World Sport Pics
Photo 2 Caption: Quanita Bobbs was quick to score the match’s opening goal after a PC in the first minute of the match, for an early SA lead.
Photo 3 Caption: Daniella de Oliveira pounced on the rebound after a dynamic run by Kayla de Waal to net her first international goal late in the match.
Photo 4 Caption: Following their defeat to Poland, South Africa begin the 5th to 8th-place playoffs against Czechia at 12 noon on Saturday.
