The Netherlands struck once in each half through Taeke Taekema (15th) and Geert-Jan Derikx (66th) for a 2-0 win against a battling South Africa for their first success in two pool B matches of the 11th FIH men's hockey World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany on Thursday.
Having lost their opener 3-2 to Korea, the Dutch put on a determined show, if trifle unimpressive, to put out the South Africans.
Incidentally, the second Dutch goal from open play made history as for the first time in a World Cup the video umpire came into play.
After Derikx took a shot from the top of the circle from open play to sound the boards, umpire Satinder Kumar from India referred it to the video umpire who upon checking with the replays, allowed the goal to stand.
The decision took a little more than 30 seconds during which the clock and play was stopped.
