Experienced India too strong for gutsy SA in FIH Hockey Pro League clash

Boasting an average of 97 caps per player compared an average of 44 caps for their South African counterparts, India's experience stood them in good stead as they proved too strong for the hosts in an FIH Hockey Pro League clash in Potchefstroom on Wednesday.

The visitors ran out 10-2 winners in a game they dominated in the first two quarters. 

That, however, was to be expected as South Africa are a much-changed team to the one that gave a good account of themselves at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Only 10 players from the Olympics are in the current squad with Rassie Pieterse and Austin Smith having retired and eight others unavailable due to injury and various other reasons. 

India opened the scoring as early as the second minute thanks to Harmanpreet Singh who smashed a penalty corner past South African keeper, Estiaan Kriek. 

Just a minute later, India doubled their lead with another penalty corner thanks to Jugraj Singh.

Jugraj added to his tally in the sixth minute from another penalty corner as India rushed into a 3-0 lead with South Africa having no answer to their initial onslaught. 

A fourth goal followed thanks to Abhishek and saw India end the first quarter 4-0 up.  

A stronger showing from South Africa kept India in check during the early part of the second quarter.

They did add a fifth goal however in the 23rd minute as Jugraj scored his hat-trick with his third penalty corner. 

Then three more goals followed in quick succession as Gursahibji Singh, Dilpreet and Mandeep Singh all scored from open play to take the score out to 8-0 at half-time.

The third quarter saw South Africa improve significantly as they outscored their Indian counterparts.

After Gursahibjit Singh scored his second of the game, South Africa came back