Historic bronze medal for South Africa
The South African indoor hockey men, powered by tops at SPAR, secured their first medal in history as they defeated Belgium 6-5 in the bronze medal match of the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Porec on Sunday.
𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 🥉🇿🇦@SA_Hockey defeat Belgium to claim their first Bronze Medal at the Men's Indoor Hockey World Cup 🥉🇿🇦#IHWC2025 pic.twitter.com/6urd2fCb2E
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) February 9, 2025
South Africa had a chance early but Cassiem’s instinctive shot went over the crossbar. Belgium profited from the missed chance as they charged up the other end and found the back of the net from Phillipe Simar, who was given too much space at the back post. Cassiem forced a high turnover, but his reactive shot was saved well by Henet.
Despite a few half chances the South Africans were unable to find a goal and the opening quarter ended with the Europeans leading 1-0.
🄽🄾🅄 🅆🄴🄴🅃 🄷🅄🄻🄻🄴
— SA Hockey (@SA_Hockey) February 9, 2025
For the first time in history, South Africa are medalists at an FIH World Cup, winning 6-5 to defeat Belgium and secure the bronze medal.
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No DNA, just RSA! #IHWC2025 #MoreThanHockey pic.twitter.com/4qTClbrojF
Early in the second quarter Belgium were awarded a penalty corner and Phillipe Simar doubled the lead. South Africa were awarded a route back into the game with a penalty corner and Cassiem fired it low past the foot of Henet to half the deficit to 2-1.
The African’s were quickly awarded another and this time Cassiems shot went narrowly wide.
Cullin de Jager made a good save to stop a counter attack threat from Belgium as South Africa tried to find the equaliser. They found it when Cassiem found the ball in the circle and turned to fire low and restore parity.
Dayaan joined the party and gave South Africa a lead when he fired into the roof from a tight angle on the reverse stick.
The Africans faced a late penalty corner and Cullin De Jager made the save to earn South Africa a halftime lead.
Early in the second half Belgium had a penalty corner. Anton van Loggerenberg was beaten but Dayaan Cassiem was on hand to save it off the line.
South Africa then won a penalty corner which saw Cassiem’s shot strike the defender on the line for a penalty stroke. Hans Neethling was on hand to fire home and double the lead to 4-2.
Belgium pulled one back through Max Langer from a penalty corner with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Dalpiarro Langford saw his shot saved before Dayaan Cassiems deflected effort bounced off the top of the crossbar. South Africa had a late chance but it was saved and they led 4-3 with 10 minutes to play.
Mustapha Cassiem completed the hat-trick with a brilliant drag from the right in the opening minute of the final quarter when given space, 5-3. Another shot from Mustapha was saved before Hans Neethling was in the way for Dayaan Cassiem.
Belgium were getting stretched and the Africans exploited it when Dayaan Cassiem fired it low past Henet to stretch the lead.
Belgium pulled their keeper off with four minutes remaining and won a penalty corner but Litha Kraai and Cullin De Jager combined to clear the lines. Gaethon Dykmans pulled back from a penalty corner to make it 6-4 with 3 and a half minutes remaining.
De Jager made a huge save with 90 seconds to keep the gap at two. Max Langer scored a sensational goal to half the deficit as South Africa were guilty of trying to force play.
Jethro Eustice cleared off the line and South Africa had secured a first ever World Cup medal.
