The South Africa women’s hockey team were 1-0 victors against world number four China at the Wanderers Club Astro in Johannesburg on Friday night after Dirkie Chamberlain netted a top-class goal in the 10th minute.
World number 12 SA were full value for the fourth Test win and they take a 3-1 lead in the Investec International Series between the two teams.
Tarryn Bright set up striker Chamberlain of Northerns Blues, who was quick to react in beating China’s quality goalkeeper Li Ji from close.
South Africa’s defence was sound and the side was superbly led by midfielder Marsha Marescia who piloted the team through some tricky moments after half-time.
South Africa’s star goalscorer, Pietie Coetzee, had her moments but Ji would have nothing of the hockey legend’s quest for her 208th goal in just 213 Tests.
A host of South Africans got their shots in but there was no way through the China keeper on the night.
That is not to say it was one-way traffic, and SA keeper Mariette Rix was called on a number of times to get in the way of outstanding Chinese striker Zhang Xiaoxue’s efforts.
The Player of the Match was the farm girl from Groblersdal, SA right half NIcolene Terblanche.
The fifth and sixth Tests are at Kaspersky Randburg Hockey Stadium. The start time is 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Azerbaijan will be facing Belgium at 3 pm on each day.
Thereafter, the International Series heads to the University of Free State hockey centre in Bloemfontein for another bout of Test matches beginning Tuesday next week.
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