KAKAMIGAHARA: South Africa grabbed the last ticket to the London Olympics men's hockey when they defeated hosts Japan 2-1 in the final qualifying tournament on Sunday.

It will be South Africa's third straight appearance in the Olympics and fourth overall after finishing in 10th place in 2004 and 12th in 2008.

Thornton McDade put South Africa one up when he slipped behind Japanese goalkeeper Shunsuke Nagaoka to score in the 44th minute and Lloyd Norris-Jones added another in the 54th.

Japan, seeking to win a berth at the Olympics for the first time in 44 years, pulled one back in the 64th minute through Kenji Kitazato, but it was too late to overcome the deficit.

South Africa join Argentina, Australia, Belgium, hosts Britain, Germany, India, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea and Spain at the Olympics.