Indian women's hockey team hold SA 0-0

India made a strong start with a structured game, a better ball possession in the first 15 minutes.

There were also some crucial circle penetrations made in the first quarter that fetched them a PC in the 12th minute of the match.

However, a fiercely struck flick by India's dragflicker Gurjit Kaur was well-defended by South Africa's first runner to deny India an early lead.

With the second quarter starting with the score reading 0-0, South Africa bounced back into the game with an improvised attack. They made two brilliant attempts on goal.

First it was Tarryn Glasby who beat Indian defenders in the circle to take a shot on goal, but an alert Savita was brilliant in her efforts to keep South Africa from scoring.

Sulette Damons' shot on goal was perhaps the best chance South Africa had to score but her powerfully struck shot was slightly off the mark even as Savita made a diving effort to defend. Both teams went into halftime in a stalemate.

There was plenty of action in the third quarter with hosts South Africa, backed by a roaring home crowd, and the support paid off when the home team scored through a field goal by Stephanie Baxter.

However, a clever call for video referral by India denied South Africa the goal as it came off the back of the stick.

India continued to keep the pressure on the hosts with a strong defence to keep them from making successful forays into the striking circle.