Canada ran on par with South Africa for the first sixty minutes of the game, but could not prevent their opponent to run up the score in the final minutes. They finish in 6th place, equaling their best finish at a Commonwealth competition (6th in Melbourne in 2006).
Canada played their last match of these 2014 Commonwealth Games against South Africa, four spots ahead of them in the world rankings, in a downpour that increased in intensity in second period. South Africa opened the score in the 7th minute at the end of an innocuous looking attack that the Canadian defense seemed to have well under control before Lloyd Norris-Jones managed to make it count.
Play was balanced, with both teams trying hard in the difficult playing conditions. Canada came level in the 17th minute by Taylor Curran, progressing in spectacular fashion on the backline and finishing the job himself. Iain Smythe was on hand ten minutes later to deflect the ball under the nose of the diving keeper to give the lead to Canada.
South Africa equalized at the end of the period and both teams walked into the break back-to-back at 2-2.
Canada regained the lead in the 37th minute by Gordie Johnston with a well taken penalty-corner, after a combination that saw the South African defence zoom on usual striker Scott Tupper. Canada defended their lead for the next ten minutes, until South Africa tied the score on a penalty-corner.
Play became less fluid in the final stage of the game, with multiple arguments and video-referrals. South Africa broke the deadlock in the 57th minute on penalty-corner, then immediately increased the gap on penalty-stroke. They scored two more field goals in the final minutes of play, although the final score of 7-3 is flattering for them. They nevertheless finish 5th of this Commonwealth Games competition, pushing Canada into 6th place.
