Kookaburras forced fight back to secure draw against South Africa

The Kookaburras have been held to a 2-2 draw by South Africa in a physical and fast-paced World Cup encounter, with Australia fighting back from a goal down before the points were ultimately shared.

South Africa made the perfect start, striking from a penalty corner in just the fourth minute to put Australia on the back foot early.

The South Africans barely took a backwards step throughout the opening term, bringing an aggressive, high-tempo brand of hockey and applying plenty of pressure to the Australian defence.

Connar Otterbach received a bruising welcome to the World Cup stage after copping a stick to the face from South Africa’s Melville, with the challenge resulting in a 10-minute yellow card.

Despite having the numerical advantage, Australia were unable to capitalise, while Blake Govers came agonisingly close to levelling the scores in the final moments of the opening quarter when he narrowly missed a vital touch at the back post.

South Africa took a 1-0 advantage into quarter time and continued to frustrate the Kookaburras in the second term.

Australia were unable to make the most of South Africa being reduced to 10 players and headed into the main break still searching for their opening goal, with South Africa leading 1-0.

The Kookaburras finally found their breakthrough in the 38th minute through Joel Rintala, who converted from a penalty corner to score his third goal of the World Cup and bring Australia level.

Momentum quickly swung Australia's way, with Campbell Geddes firing a dangerous ball into the circle five minutes later before Ky Willott got the decisive touch to put the Kookaburras ahead 2-1.

But the lead was short-lived as South Africa responded from another penalty corner to level the contest at 2-2.

There was late drama on the three-quarter-time buzzer when Govers appeared to have restored Australia's lead. However, following an umpire referral, the goal was disallowed after the ball was deemed not to have crossed the line before time expired.

With scores locked at 2-2 heading into the final quarter, both sides continued to search for a winner.

South Africa maintained their speed and aggressive press, while Australia pushed hard at the other end, but neither side could find the decisive breakthrough in a tense final term.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw, with the Kookaburras forced to settle for a share of the points after fighting their way back into the contest.

Final score: Australia 2 – South Africa 2

The Kookaburras now face Belgium in the next pool stage on the 22nd of August, 1am AEST.

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Australia goals:

Joel Rintala (38th Minute PC)

Ky Willott (45th Minute FG)

South Africa Goals:

Mustaphaa Cassiem (4th and 44th Minute PC)