India rout South Africa 6-1 at Women's Hockey World Cup, edge closer to second round

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, India defeated South Africa 6-1 in a Women's Hockey World Cup group-stage match to move within reach of a place in the tournament's second round.

The victory was the largest India have recorded in Women's Hockey World Cup history, surpassing a 4-1 win over Spain in 1974, the same year the Indian women last reached the World Cup semi-finals. The result sent India to the top of Group D; China had beaten England 4-2, which left China in second place after a 2-2 draw with India earlier in the pool.

India began the match on the front foot, carving an early chance through Lalremsiami in the second minute that was saved by the South African goalkeeper. South Africa threatened on the counter when Kayla de Vaal broke through on goal, but goalkeeper Bichu Devi produced a sensational save to keep the score level; the subsequent South African penalty corner did not convert.

The breakthrough came in the 11th minute when a cut-through pass found Sunelita Toppo, who converted with a simple tap-in to give India the lead. Navneet Kaur doubled the advantage from a penalty corner in the second quarter after taking a turn to the right before placing her shot past the keeper, emulating a touch often used by former captain Rani Rampal.

Navneet's attempt then led to another penalty corner; Sushila Chanu recycled that play and her follow-up shot ricocheted off Van Tonder. Deepika, Lalremsiami and Sakshi Rana added further goals as India completed the 6-1 victory that secured all three points in the group match.

Coach Sjoerd Marijne's second stint has been marked by an aggressive attacking philosophy, a trait the report attributes to successful tours of Argentina, Australia and the FIH Nations Cup. India's quick, direct forward play had also been noted in their match with China, where the report said their strong and speedy attack troubled the 2024 Olympics silver medallists; Marijne, according to the same report, had been vocal about feeling his side were denied a chance to beat China and pushed for more goals on Tuesday.

India's final Pool D game is against England on August 20, and the team requires just one point from that fixture to qualify for the second round of the World Cup.