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South Africa makes comeback to defeat NZ - FIP World Cup Polo day 4
Story and pictures: Brett O'Callaghan
New Zealand got off to a strong start scoring 4 goals to South Africa's solitary goal in the first 2 chukkas, with New Zealand's number 1, Michael Henderson, scoring 2 outstanding goals.
South Africa were initially shell-shocked by the speed and teamwork of the men in black, with New Zealand captain Craig Wilson scoring 2 penalties to take the score out to 6 -1 in the second chukka. The third chukka however, was the turning point in the game, when the young South African team started to find form and had a fortunate break with a 'penalty 1' ruling. This resulted in a goal being immediately awarded and the South African's starting the play from where the penalty occurred, which was directly in front of the New Zealand goal, so the scoreboard quickly changed to only a 2 goal difference.
In the next 2 chukkas South African's young star Nachi du Plessis started to dominate the match with some clever stick work which resulted in him scoring 3 goals. Captain, Gareth Evans, and hardworking forward, Tom de Bruin, also scored a goal each to give South Africa a 9 - 8 win. South Africa have played 2 games and have won both.
Friday is a rest day with two matches to be played on Saturday: Australia meet South Africa at 2pm and New Zealand play Pakistan at 3.30pm. Both games are being played on Fisher Field, Clevedon.
South Africa 9 - New Zealand 8
Scorers:
1 March
South Africa staged a magnificent comeback to defeat New Zealand in the dying seconds of the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Cup Zone D play-off on Thursday in Clevedon, South Auckland.
Gareth Evans (South Africa)
South Africa; Nachi du Plessis - 5, Tom du Bruin - 2, Gareth Evans - 1 + penalty 1 awarded
New Zealand: Craig Wilson - 4, Michael Henderson - 2, Robert Watson 1, Tom Hunt 1
Gareth Evans (SA)
Michael Henderson (NZ) and Nachi de Plessis (SA)
Gareth Evans (SA) and Michael Henderson (NZ)