Sasol Banyana Banyana are set for a stern test in June 2026 when they take on Japan in two away international friendly matches, fixtures that coach Dr Desiree Ellis will use as key preparation for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) later this year.
The South African senior women’s national team will meet the Nadeshiko in the first encounter on Saturday, 6 June 2026, at the Nagai Ballgame Field in Osaka. The sides will meet again three days later, on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, at J-Green Sakai, also in Osaka.
Japan come into these fixtures as one of the most accomplished nations in women’s football. They are former FIFA Women’s World Cup champions, having lifted the global title in 2011, and most recently they were crowned 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners after defeating Australia 1–0 in the final, a result sealed by Maika Hamano’s early strike in Sydney.
Earlier this month, the Confederation of African Football confirmed that WAFCON 2026 has been rescheduled to run from 25 July to 16 August 2026, having originally been set for April before being moved due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Banyana Banyana are also scheduled to play two additional international friendlies in April 2026, with the South African Football Association to announce further details in due course.