Germany beat the Spar South African women’s hockey team 3-0 in the second Test played at Stellenbosch University on Friday night.
The win secures the Test series for the visitors after their 4-1 win on Thursday night with just one match to play on Saturday afternoon.
But the world’s third-ranked side were made to work for their victory against a markedly improved South African outfit.
South Africa coach Jenny King was far from satisfied with her team’s defensive play in the first encounter and it was obvious that she and assistant coach Lindsey Wright did their homework.
The Germans led only 1-0 at halftime through veteran Natascha Keller, who found herself in loads of space in the circle and calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Mariette Rix.
Granted, the Germans created far more scoring opportunities, but the hosts’ defence, marshalled by a superb Cindy Brown, held tight coupled with some outstanding saves from Rix.
The local team had their best chance in the 26th minute after Vida Ryan centred a superb cross to find an unmarked Shelley Russel. Unfortunately, Russel’s valiant diving backstick effort went past the upright.
A substitution in the second half, consciously made by King, was possibly the saving grace for the home side. The 18-year old, Hanli Hattingh, on debut, replaced the experienced Rix. And what an inspired substitution it proved to be. Hattingh made some remarkable saves and when she was eventually beaten in the 58th minute, she was let down by her defenders when the Germans conjured up a penalty corner variation.
Hattingh can also be excused for the visitors’ third goal, which was quite magically executed. There was a dazzling run from the 300-plus capped Keller from outside her opponents 22 and she layed off to an unmarked Hannah Kruger who had time to pick her spot. — Sapa