The South African Women’s team are eyeing a ninth place finish at this year’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup in The Hague following their 4-2 loss to the United States of America on Tuesday.
South Africa subsequently finished fifth in Pool B, while the North Americans clinched top spot and will now face Australia for a place in the finals.
The South African Ladies put in a spirited performance against the Americans and will now face Japan in an attempt to finish ninth, well above their FIH World Ranking of 12th.
Caroline Nichols put the States ahead from a penalty stroke on the stroke of half-time.
South Africa, though, came out strong following the interval and pulled level through captain Marsha Cox.
Katie Reinprecht restored parity three minutes later before Lauren Crandell extended the Americans’ lead from another penalty stroke.
Lisa-Marie Deetlefs made it 3-2 soon after before Rachel Dawson sealed the game for America 14 minutes from time with a perfect drag flick.
Dirkie Chamberlain said in the aftermath: “Well done to America and well done to my team.We had some chances we should have put away, but we worked hard.
“We came out hard in the second half and put them under pressure, but it didn’t go our way.”
