A superb second half performance saw USA come from a goal down to record a healthy win and gain some revenge over South Africa who knocked seven past them in the Olympic Games. It means that, barring a big turnaround in fortunes, the Africans looked destined for fourth place in the group and a likely quarter-final date with Australia.

Things had looked rosy at the interval for South Africa as a brilliant Nicolene Terblanche run and reverse cancelled out Katie O’Donnell’s opening goal. And they were ahead when Izelle Lategan picked up Sulette Damons’ lay-off and fired through a forest of legs for 2-1.

But the US were supremely motivated in the second half and – despite being reduced to nine players for two sin-bin offences – levelled through Shannon Taylor as she nudged over the line from close range. O’Donnell nabbed her second with a beautifully guided touch to wrong-foot Vuyisanani Mangisa from Katelyn Falgowski’s corner hit. Torrie Albini confirmed the result two minutes from the end when she thundered home a penalty corner.