Women’s World Cup – South Africa profile

South Africa will be hoping to reach the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup for the first time when they compete at the 2023 finals in Australia and New Zealand from July 20.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

South Africa booked a second successive Women’s World Cup berth after winning the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in July last year. They beat the hosts 2-1 in the decider.

WORLD CUP GROUP G

Fixtures (kick-offs SA time):

July 23 v Sweden (07h00)

July 28 v Argentina (02h30)

August 2 v Italy (09h00)

WORLD CUP RECORD

1991-2015: Did not qualify

2019 – Group Stage: P3 W0 D0 L3 GF1 GA8

THE COACH

De Ellis is a three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year and a former national team captain. She has been in charge of South Africa since 2016, initially in a caretaker capacity, and has steered them to gold and silver in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and to successive World Cups.

THE CAPTAIN

Refiloe Jane made her international debut in 2012 and has been a stalwart of the national team ever since. She has been long-time vice-captain under Janine van Wyk, and led the team in the latter’s injury absence, which will be the case Down Under. The accomplished midfielder has great football intelligence and been one of South Africa’s best exports having spent the last four years in Italy.

STAR PLAYER

There are several Banyana Banyana players who could rise to the occasion Down Under, but for sheer x-factor they will look to Thembi Kgatlana with her pace, ability to run at defenders and rocket shot. She has played a hand in so much of their success in recent years and is perhaps the one player who can break down a stubborn defence.

The one question-mark will eb over her fitness having just returned from almost a year out with an Acchilles injury. But she has gone well for her club in the United States, Racing Louisville.

THEIR PROSPECTS

Banyana Banyana will have learnt much at their Women’s World Cup debut in France four years ago and with many of the players retained from that squad – and coach des Ellis still in charge – they can take those lessons into these finals.

But they have a tough pool that incudes Sweden, who are ranked third in the world, a handy Italy and a bit of a lesser-known quantity in Argentina.

That is not to say that Banyana cannot escape this pool, but they will have to be at their absolute best.

THEIR SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kaylin Swart (JVW), Kebotseng Moletsane (Royal AM)

Defenders: Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fikile Magama (UWC), Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Noko Matlou (Eibar, Spain), Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongeka Gamede (UWC)

Midfielders: Kholosa Biyana (UWC), Refiloe Jane (Sassuolo, Italy), Sibulele Holweni (UWC), Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, scotland), Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy), Robyn Moodaly (JVW)

Forwards: Noxolo Cesane (unattached), Gabriela Salgado (JVW), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Monterrey, Mexico), Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns), Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto, South Korea), Wendy Shongwe (University of Pretoria), Thembi Kgatlana (Racing Louisville)