The South African women’s hockey team came back from a two goal half-time deficit to draw 2-2 with Scotland on day one of the Champions Challenge in Dublin Saturday.
Striker Pietie Coetzee edged closer to the world record of 220 goals with her 217th goal in 222 Test matches, team mate Illse Davids netted a deflection, while Louise Baxter and Nikki Kidd got on the scoreboard for Scotland.
“Scotland’s first-half goals put us on the back foot and we could have made more of our chances in the second half,” said the South African head coach Giles Bonnet.
As a precaution, the Proteas’ rested captain Marsha Marescia and team-mate Marcelle Keet, while in-form number two keeper Sanani Mangisa started.
Louise Baxter scored the first goal of the match when she pounced on a loose ball for Scotland in the strike zone and pounded it past the outstretched leg of Mangisa to put Scotland into the lead (1-0).
On the half-time hooter Scotland won a penalty corner during a goalmouth melee and Kidd fired a low flick into the left-side backboard to make the score 2-0.
Coetzee scored South Africa’s first goal from a penalty corner with 17 minutes remaining in the game.
Seven minutes later Davids scored the equaliser after a pinpoint cross from Coetzee.
South Africa meet tournament favourites Japan at Sunday at 2pm South African time.
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