South Africa got off to a perfect start at the FIH Men’s Hockey Nations Cup in Potchefstroom with an impressive 6-2 victory against Pakistan in pool A on Monday, 28 November in front of a partisan home crowd at the NWU Astroturf.

Goals from Jacques van Tonder, Mustapha Cassiem, Samkelo Mvimbi, Tevin Kok, Dayaan Cassiem and Keenan Horne completed a fine win.

Pakistan level the score at 1-1 through Rooman in a tight first quarter, but the Proteas kept motoring, taking a 3-1 lead at half-time, before adding three more in the second half.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

Mbimbi’s goal just before the break illustrated his team’s hunger for the win as a goal mouth scramble resulted in Mvimbi putting the ball into the net with a smart finish.

South Africa’s new captain, Dayaan Cassiem, had a fantastic match alongside his brother Mustapha and together with the energetic Tevin Kok and Brad Sherwood, had Pakistan’s defence on their toes.

Pakistan did manage to grab a second consolation goal through Arshad Liaqat, but by then the result was in the bag.

This win puts SA on top of pool A on three points ahead of Ireland via goal difference. Ireland had earlier stunned France 2-1.

Pool B saw Asian sides Japan and Korea get wins to head their group in the fight for semi-final places.

Day 1 results (Monday, 28 November)

Pool B – Canada 0-3 Japan
Pool B – Korea 1-0 Malaysia
Pool A – France 1-2 Ireland
Pool A – South Africa 6-2 Pakistan
Day 2 Fixtures (Tuesday, 29 November)
09:00 – Korea vs. Japan
11:00 – Ireland vs. Pakistan
13:00 – Canada vs. Malaysia
15:00 – South Africa vs. France