Men's Hockey World Cup 2023: India look to end disappointing campaign on high against South Africa

It will be the host's last match in the tournament.

India has bounced back strongly decimating the 2018 Asian Games champions Japan (8-0) in the first classification match. The hosts will take on South Africa in the 9-12 classification match on 28 January, which will also be their last match at the 2023 FIH men’s hockey World Cup. South Africa on the other hand defeated the much fancied Malaysian side (6-3) in their first classification match and will finish inside the top 12. The African nation recently won the FIH men’s Nations Cup and is emerging well in the international circuit.

The Stakes

India

After a disappointing finish in the crossovers, India had a new task on hand that is to finish in the ninth spot. The hosts in the process have crossed the first hurdle defeating Japan (8-0), their biggest victory in terms of goals scored in the men’s World Cup (previously Ghana 7-0). Experienced players like Mandeep Singh and captain Harmanpreet Singh found back their goal-scoring abilities with the former scoring the first goal of the match and the World Cup and the former scoring back-to-back PC. 

The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist couldn't break the deadlock in the first half but Mandeep Singh found a way to score a back and since then there was no looking back scoring seven more goals. India shall look to finish the tournament on a high ahead of the pro league matches to be held in February 2023.

South Africa

The only African nation at the 2023 World Cup could score only three goals in the pool stages but in their first classification scored six goals against Malaysia and conceded three. This is by far the best performance by South Africa at the World Cup. Sherwood scored the opening and the last goal for the African side and was the standout performer in the match. South Africa shall be wary of India’s strong attack and should look to attack the counter which has been India’s weak link. 

India vs South Africa Head to Head

South Africa and India have met each other 35 times.

India - 23

South Africa - 07

Draw - 05

H2h World Cup (From 1994)

Played: 05

India: 02

South Africa: 00

Draw: 03

Team News

No injuries have been reported from hosts India and South Africa. 

Squad

India

P.R. Sreejesh, Krishna Pathak, Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas (Vice Captain), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Manpreet Singh,  Rajkumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh.

South Africa

Nqobile Ntuli, Brad Sherwood, Connor Beauchamp, Dan Bell, Dayaan Cassiem, Estiaan Kriek, Gowan Jones, Guy Morgan, Jacques van Tonder, Jethro Eustice, Keenan Horne, Jean Bouin, Mustapha Cassiem, Nic Spooner, Nduduzo Lembethe, Ryan Julius, Almere, Samkelo Mvimbi, Jean Bouin, Sihle Ngubane, Tevin Kok.

Telecast

The match between India and South Africa will take place at the Birsa Munda International Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday (28 January 2023). The live broadcast will begin at 07:00 PM IST on Star Sports 2, Star Sports First, and Star Sports Select 2 HD.

Fans can also watch the live stream on Disney+ Hotstar app, watch.hockey app or website.