Ever-improving SA hockey men rue missed chances in running France close

While the FIH Hockey League has been a steep learning curve for the SA men's hockey squad during the past two weeks, there's no denying they've made some significant progress.

While the tournament started with some heavy losses for an inexperienced South African team, on Sunday they showed they could compete on the big stage, losing 2-1 to France.

It's a match they would feel they should have won. 

We fought proudly tonight. The classroom of the FIH Pro League is a tough classroom, but we are growing as a team in this journey. Thank you France for visiting our country and congratulations on the result. #FIHProLeague #HockeyInvites pic.twitter.com/IAyDllMN4h

South Africa opened the scoring through 19-year-old Mustapha Cassiem, but goals from Blaise Rogeau and Victor Charlet brought France the victory.

Captain Keenan Horne says the result was a tough pill to swallow considering how well South Africa played. 

"It was a tough result to take after we were 1-0 up, but it was a much-improved performance from the boys," Horne said after the match.

Horne believes that if South Africa's finishing on the night had been better, a win was there for the taking.

"If we were a little more clinical in our position circle, it could have been a different game. 

"The opposition took their chances, and we just couldn't get one over the line as they defend quite well."

Sihle Ngubane, who came on as a replacement during the match, also spoke of the missed opportunities by South Africa.

"I am proud of the efforts the guys put in today," he said.

"We worked really hard for the full 60 minutes, and on another day, we'd bury all those chances we created."

For Clayton Saker, the performance was South Africa's best so far in the league.

"It's by far our best