The scores were level 1-1 when tournament director Sheila Brown, the South African administrator who will be going to her third consecutive Olympic Games as an administrator this year, deemed that no further play was possible.

Belgium, the stronger side, went ahead midway through the first half when Sofie Gierts scored from a penalty corner. But six minutes from half-time, Ireland striker Nicola Evans equalised with a stunning reverse-stick shot, which left goalkeeper Nadine Khouzam rooted to the spot.

The result leaves the final Tri-Nations table reading South Africa first with eight points, Belgium second on five points and Ireland third on two points.

The Belgium and South Africa women’s hockey team squads’ focus now turns to the two-Test series, which takes place at Randburg Hockey Stadium at 2 pm Saturday and 11 am Sunday.

South Africa have had the edge on Belgium since the start of the Tri-Nations, but it is impossible to predict the outcome of the two-Test series, as the Belgians are finally coming into form.

The home side have a trump card in world record goalscorer Pietie Coetzee, who is likely to return to the starting line-up after being rested for the last two Tests.