THE Australian women’s hockey team beat South Africa 4-1 in the third of five tests in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. The series was locked at 1-1 coming into this match following Australia’s 3-0 victory in the first test and South Africa’s 2-1 win in the second. But any hopes the South Africans had of another upset over the Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games champions were quickly overturned by an Australian side which raced into a 3-0 lead at halftime. Their dominance in the midfield opened up huge gaps in the South African defence, which failed to withstand the pressure. One of South Africa’s most experienced internationals, Alison Dare, scored her team’s only goal. The revival was short-lived, and a fourth goal five minutes later put the outcome of the match beyond doubt.