Cape Town - The South African women’s hockey team lost 2-0 to Belgium in the second Test at Central Hockey Club in Vygieskraal, Cape Town, on Wednesday.
The tourists have taken a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series after this victory.
The goals came from Erica Coppey in the first half and Louise Versavel in the second.
The South Africans were left to rue six unsuccessful penalty corners to Belgium’s one, as well as a host of other opportunities that went astray.
The hosts' central defender Lisa Deetlefs earned her 150th Test cap and the team’s play reflected a better performance than in Monday’s 2-1 defeat.
The improved cohesion saw Christine Roos, who made her debut on Monday, win South Africa's first penalty corner, and Nicolene Terblanche’s first effort saved by goalkeeper Nadine Khouzam.
South Africa continued to dominate territory and possession, but Barbara Nelen on the right, and Jill Boon on the left, started to make forays down the flanks.
Ten minutes from half-time Judith Vandermeiren made a superb run down the left, with her backhand cross tipped in at the near post by Coppey.
The home side hit back immediately, but Quanita Bobbs’s rebound shot from a penalty corner flashed over the crossbar.
Versavel extended the lead six minutes into the second half after play swept down the right.
Try as they might from the rest of the corners, as well as from field play, all South Africa's efforts came to nought.
Belgium’s Pauline Lecles fired a chance wide and SA 'keeper Sanani Mangisa saved from the lively Coppey.
The third Test, at Hartleyvale on Thursday, will give South Africa a chance to launch their hopes of levelling the series.
The match had been brought forward from Friday due to the heavy load both teams’ players will have to withstand over the coming week in the World League round-two event.
The final Test will be played on Saturday and the one-day break between the third and fourth matches will give the players some time to recover.
The tourists have taken a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series after this victory.
The goals came from Erica Coppey in the first half and Louise Versavel in the second.
The South Africans were left to rue six unsuccessful penalty corners to Belgium’s one, as well as a host of other opportunities that went astray.
The hosts' central defender Lisa Deetlefs earned her 150th Test cap and the team’s play reflected a better performance than in Monday’s 2-1 defeat.
The improved cohesion saw Christine Roos, who made her debut on Monday, win South Africa's first penalty corner, and Nicolene Terblanche’s first effort saved by goalkeeper Nadine Khouzam.
South Africa continued to dominate territory and possession, but Barbara Nelen on the right, and Jill Boon on the left, started to make forays down the flanks.
Ten minutes from half-time Judith Vandermeiren made a superb run down the left, with her backhand cross tipped in at the near post by Coppey.
The home side hit back immediately, but Quanita Bobbs’s rebound shot from a penalty corner flashed over the crossbar.
Versavel extended the lead six minutes into the second half after play swept down the right.
Try as they might from the rest of the corners, as well as from field play, all South Africa's efforts came to nought.
Belgium’s Pauline Lecles fired a chance wide and SA 'keeper Sanani Mangisa saved from the lively Coppey.
The third Test, at Hartleyvale on Thursday, will give South Africa a chance to launch their hopes of levelling the series.
The match had been brought forward from Friday due to the heavy load both teams’ players will have to withstand over the coming week in the World League round-two event.
The final Test will be played on Saturday and the one-day break between the third and fourth matches will give the players some time to recover.