SA men's hockey team makes first Commonwealth semi-final since 2002: 'It's a proud moment'

It's a huge moment for hockey in South Africa as the men's side sealed their spot in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals in Birmingham.

Needing a victory to progress out of the knockout stages against 2018 silver medallists New Zealand, South Africa put up a fight at the University of Birmingham centre.

The match was all tied at 3-3 in the final quarter, but Connor Beauchamp's penalty corner secured South Africa the emphatic win on Thursday.

Matthew Guise-Brown scored a brace with Keenan Horne and Beauchamp slotting goals to steer South Africa to a 4-3 win against the formidable Kiwis.

South Africa captain Tim Drummond could not be prouder of his team as they made their way to a long-awaited semi-final playoff this weekend.

"It's a huge moment for us. One of the goals was to get out of the pool and we've done that. It's a proud moment for the whole team and just excited about it," Drummond said after the game.

"It's pure fight and adrenaline, you're doing it for each other and for people back home. It gives you the energy to keep going. It means a lot and if you're playing for something bigger than yourself, you just go for it."

Done & dusted. ????That's how you do it, boys! ??????.#TeamSA @SA_Hockey #B2022 #CommonwealthGames #B2022Hockey pic.twitter.com/wlYNS42Jwo

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South Africa made their first Commonwealth semi-final since the 2002 Manchester Games (when they lost to eventual champions Australia) as they finished second in Group A in Birmingham.

They drew 2-2 against Pakistan in their first encounter, defeated Scotland 5-4 and lost to Australia 3-0 before sealing the New Zealand win.

"It means a lot, we've come so far as a group in two years and have gone through some tough times together,"