India face South Africa in Pool D at FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup in Amstelveen on August 18

India will meet South Africa at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen in their second Pool D match at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 on August 18; kick-off is scheduled for 6:30 pm Indian Time. India opened the tournament with a 2-2 draw against China, while South Africa lost 4-0 to England in their Pool D opener.

India produced a hard-fought 2-2 result against Olympic silver medallists China in their first game, with Navneet Kaur scoring in the 7th minute and Deepika in the 24th. The performance was described in the build-up as showing resilience, determination and attacking intent against one of the tournament’s leading sides. Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said: "We are not focused on calculations or who is winning against whom. For us, it’s most important to focus on ourselves, focus on our strengths." He added: "We created chances (against China). That was something very positive. I think defensively we were very strong. We need to work on double turnovers: winning the ball, keeping the ball. That’s something we can do better."

India’s named starting XI for the South Africa match was listed as Bichu Devi, Sushila Chanu, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, Salima Tete, Neha Goyal, Sakshi Rana, Navneet Kaur, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. Substitutes named included Savita Punia, Nikki Pradhan, Shilpi Dabas, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Deepika Sehrawat and Beauty Dung Dung.

South Africa enter the contest following a 4-0 defeat by England and sit without a point in Pool D. The preview noted that South Africa would be looking to respond to that opening loss and Marijne warned his players not to underestimate them: "Now we face South Africa, and I have told the girls not to take things lightly. South Africa is also a good team...so we need to be ready for that one," he said.

The tournament format means the top two teams from each of the four pools advance from the opening stage and remain in contention for the semi-finals. Reports covering the competition explain that teams progressing from the first phase carry forward their result against the other advancing side from the same pool into the second round, when they will play the opponents they did not face in the opening phase.

Ranked ninth in the world, India will aim to convert the positive signs from their draw with China into a first World Cup win to strengthen their position in Pool D; a victory would give them a significant boost ahead of the final pool fixture. England currently lead Pool D, with India and China level on points and South Africa fourth.

The Pool D match between India and South Africa will be played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on August 18 and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm Indian Time.