South Africa continued their preparation for the 2026 World Cup with the third match of the series in front of a packed and electric Hartleyvale. It was not an official Test, but it was an important step in the journey as the group continues to build depth and understanding. With the Nkosi Cup starting on Friday, the Indoor Men who featured in the first two Tests were not involved, so the Cassiem brothers and Cullin de Jager watched this one from the stands.
India created the first real moment when a deflection from a Sukhjeet effort forced an excellent reaction save from Brendan du Toit. South Africa responded with a penalty corner, but Calvin Davis saw his flick go straight at the keeper. India then showed the quality they carry when Abhishek produced a piece of magic down the right and cut the ball back for Sukhjeet to finish superbly.
Nic Spooner drew a good save with a firm strike as South Africa kept pushing. The hosts thought they had a lifeline when the umpire awarded a penalty stroke, but the decision was correctly overturned. India earned a penalty corner at the other end and made it count. South Africa created five of their own in the opening half but could not find the breakthrough, and went into the break trailing 2 to 0.
Du Toit opened the second half with two very good saves as India searched for the next punch. Eventually they found it when Hardhik and Abhishek combined in slick fashion and finished with real composure to make it 3 to 0. That goal closed out the third quarter and settled the flow of the contest.
South Africa pulled one back to the delight of the home crowd as Michael Horan smashed home a penalty corner, but almost immediately the Indians made it 4-1. A penalty corner was saved but Mandeep Singh on the rebound smashed it home.
The score stayed the same, but the evening carried real value for both teams. India were clinical and controlled, and South Africa were able to give important minutes to a different mix of players as the build up to the World Cup continues.
Thank you to India for coming out and to the incredible fans who filled Hartleyvaleagain. The energy, the noise and the passion truly lifted the occasion.
