The Day Two morning session of the Nkosi Cup 2025 set the tone for another compelling day of international indoor hockey, delivering record-breaking performances, classic rivalries and dominant displays. Australia’s women made history in their tournament debut, New Zealand edged a thrilling Oceania showdown, Namibia reinforced their status as defending champions, and South Africa’s men continued their strong start in front of a passionate home crowd.
Women’s Group Stage
Australia 13–1 Zimbabwe
Australia made a stunning Nkosi Cup debut with a record-breaking victory over Zimbabwe, setting the tone with a first-minute strike from Annelyse Tevant and never looking back. The opening quarter was nothing short of remarkable as the Oceania giants struck six times, with Kelsey Hughes grabbing a brace, Tevant adding her second, and Samantha Economos and Brooke Welsh also finding the back of the net.
Ella White extended the lead in the second quarter before Zimbabwe produced a moment to celebrate when Roxanne Viviers converted from a penalty corner, leaving the score at 7–1 at the halftime break.
The Australians pulled further clear after the restart as Kaitlyn Lee scored twice in quick succession, before Caitlin Burns made it 10–1 moments later. The rout was completed in the final quarter with goals from Erin Burns, Caitlin Burns and a hat-trick-sealing strike from Tevant, confirming a historic Nkosi Cup victory.
Player of the Match: Annelyse Tevant (Australia)
Men’s Group Stage
Australia 3–4 New Zealand
New Zealand claimed bragging rights in a thrilling all-Oceania clash, edging Australia in a pulsating contest. Australia struck first through Aiden Dooley, but Luca Clark quickly restored parity for New Zealand. Dooley then re-established the Australian lead with his second of the match, sending the sides into the break at 2–1.
The third quarter belonged to New Zealand as Daniel Scanlon levelled matters before Joshua Durant put them ahead for the first time. As Australia pressed for an equaliser, Benedict van Woerkom punished them from a penalty corner to stretch the lead to 4–2.
Dooley completed his hat-trick to set up a frenetic finish, but New Zealand held their nerve to secure a memorable victory.
Player of the Match: Angus Griffin (New Zealand)
Women’s Group Stage
Namibia 7–3 New Zealand
Two-time defending champions Namibia continued their strong start to the tournament with an impressive victory over New Zealand. Vice-captain Sunelle Ludwig gave Namibia the perfect opening before New Zealand, recovering from a tough encounter with South Africa, responded through Anna McLean and Emily Brun to turn the deficit into a 2–1 lead.
Tamara Grogli levelled matters for Namibia before Brun struck again to restore New Zealand’s advantage. But Namibia had the final say before the break as January netted her first of the tournament to make it level at halftime.
The final quarter belonged firmly to Namibia. Kiana-Che Cormack scored twice, while Ludwig completed her hat-trick as the champions pulled away to seal a convincing win.
Player of the Match: Kiana-Che Cormack (Namibia)
Men’s Group Stage
South Africa 6–1 United States
South Africa maintained their perfect start to the Nkosi Cup with a dominant victory over the United States. Mustapha Cassiem needed just two minutes to open the scoring, before Hans Neethling added a second to give the hosts early control.
Pat Harris briefly brought the contest to life for the Americans early in the second half, but that goal only served to ignite Cassiem. The FIH World Cup Player of the Tournament responded with four unanswered goals, producing another sensational individual display.
Cassiem now moves to 32 goals in Nkosi Cup history, extending his lead as the tournament’s all-time top scorer, as South Africa made it two wins from two.
Player of the Match: Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa)
