Yesterday South Africa’s men’s hockey players beat Rio 2016 bronze medallists and world number 4, Germany, for the first time in an international competition.
The 4-3 winning score has left South Africa with a minuscule chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Even if South Africa beats Canada today, they are unlikely to progress to the knockout stages due to Germany’s much better goal difference.
Germany has a positive seven-goal difference while South Africa has a negative eight difference. It would require a huge win over Canada, and a heavy German loss against the Netherlands for South Africa to progress.
If Germany secures just one point through a draw or a win against the Netherlands in their final match, they will be guaranteed a place in the knockout stages.
Given the level of competition, the lack of preparation and the lack of funding, beating Germany was a massive result. Craig Ray of Daily Maverick suggests that it was the equivalent of Japan beating the Springboks at Rugby World Cup 2015.
South Africa last won a match at the Olympics in 2012, when they beat India. Although the team went to Rio 2016, both then and now team members were forced to crowd-fund for their preparation programme.
They came back from 2-1 down to overcome the Germans, showing resilience and no lack of skill.
Germany attacked relentlessly to the end, but South Africa held on for a famous victory.