POLOCROSSE: Every Polocrosse World Cup comes up with a shock or two and it came this time on the second day.

New Zealand went into the cup ranked fifth but scored a 16-14 win against defending champions South Africa.

The win was even better when one remembers the majority of the current South African team played in men's and women's series against Australia at Morgan Park two years ago.

In games before the cup, Australia won the two matches on each side of the Tasman.

The best male player award in the late game on Tuesday went to Beau Moore, a former Tansey player in Queensland, who now lives in New Zealand.

Beth Peaker is playing in her third World Cup and won the best female player award.

Four years ago, Zambia scored a win against South Africa in South Africa on day 1 in a cup where South Africa was also the defending champions.

If New Zealand win on Wednesday against Ireland and South Africa beat United Kingdom on Thursday night, New Zealand will finish top of their pool and South Africa second.

Australia and Zambia each have two wins in the other pool so the battle on Thursday night in the late game will be to finish top in the pool and play the second-placed team in the other pool.

l aware of the danger from South Africa after a loss as four years agofrom both Zambia

New Zealand 16 d South Africa 14: Best male player Beau Moore (New Zealand), best female player - Beth Peaker (New Zealand), best men's horse - Nungaburra Mavis, best women's horse - Jaylyn Downs Perth