South Africa women's national soccer team

Women's national association football team representing South Africa From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The South Africa women's national football team represents South Africa in women's international soccer and is run by the South African Football Association, the governing body for Soccer in South Africa. Nicknamed Banyana Banyana (The Girls in Sesotho, officially known as Sasol Banyana Banyana for sponsorship reasons).[2]

NicknameBanyana Banyana
AssociationSouth African Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Quick facts Nickname, Association ...
South Africa
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameBanyana Banyana
AssociationSouth African Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachDesiree Ellis
CaptainRefiloe Jane
Most capsJanine Van Wyk (185)
Top scorerPortia Modise (101)
FIFA codeRSA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 58 Decrease 3 (21 April 2026)[1]
Highest45 (August 2023)
Lowest74 (June – September 2005; December 2007)
First international
 South Africa 9–0 Swaziland 
(Johannesburg, South Africa; 30 May 1993)
Biggest win
 South Africa 17–0 Comoros 
(Port Elizabeth, South Africa; 31 July 2019)
Biggest defeat
 China 13–0 South Africa 
(Dalian, China; 7 September 2003)
World Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2019)
Best resultRound of 16 (2023)
Africa Women Cup of Nations
Appearances13 (first in 1995)
Best result1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions (2022)
Summer Olympics
Appearances2 (first in 2012)
Best result10th (2012)
COSAFA Women's Championship
Appearances10 (first in 2002)
Best result1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions (2002, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Medal record
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
First place2022 Morocco
Second place2018 Ghana
Second place2012 Equatorial Guinea
Second place2008 Equatorial Guinea
Second place2000 South Africa
Third place2006 Nigeria
Third place2010 South Africa


COSAFA Women's Championship
Gold medal – first place2002 Zimbabwe
Gold medal – first place2006 Zambia
Gold medal – first place2017 Zimbabwe
Gold medal – first place2018 South Africa
Gold medal – first place2019 South Africa
Gold medal – first place2020 South Africa
Silver medal – second place2011 Zimbabwe
Silver medal – second place2022 South Africa
Websitehttps://www.safa.net/
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South Africa competed in two Olympic Games, two FIFA Women's World Cups, and 14 Women's African Cup of Nations, where they were runners up five times before winning once. They also competed at all 10 COSAFA Women's Championships, where they won seven times, came second thrice and finished in fourth place once.

History

Banyana Banyana's first official match was held on 30 May 1993 against Eswatini, which they won 14–0. Future Women's AFCON winning coach Desiree Ellis played in that game and scored three of the goals[3]

Their first international match outside of Africa was against China. They played two matches which they lost 8–0 and 13–0 with the latter being the heaviest defeat in their history. The team's first victory over a nation outside of Africa was in 2000, where they beat Scotland by 2–0. This was at the Cyrus Women's Cup.[4]

South Africa's biggest win came in a COSAFA Women's Championship match in Gqeberha on 31 July 2019, when they beat the Comoros 17–0. Captain Refiloe Jane scored 4 of the goals.[5][6]

Olympic Games

They qualified for Olympic football for the first time in 2012, with coach Joseph Mkhonza.[7] Their second Olympic participation was at 2016's Rio Olympics, under coach Vera Pauw.

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

Banyana appeared in 14 CAF Women's Championships (Now known as Women's AFCON) and were runners up on five occasions (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018) and third at two events (2006 and 2010), before eventually winning their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, beating Morocco 2–1 in the final.[8]

FIFA Women's World Cup

Coached by Desiree Ellis, they qualified for their first FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019, in Group B with Germany, Spain and China. However, they lost all matches, and their only goal was against Spain when they went to a 1–0 lead only to lose 3–1.

South Africa qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup again in 2023, also coached by Desiree Ellis. During the group stages they lost 2–1 to Sweden after leading 1–0, drew 2–2 against Argentina after leading 2–0, but finally defeated Italy 3–2 and advanced to the Round of 16 for the very first time. They eventually lost 2–0 to the Netherlands.[9] Following the team's performance, Desiree Ellis would win the 2023 award for CAF Women's Coach of the Year.[10]

The top goal scorers at world cups are Thembi Kgatlana with 3, Hildah Magaia with 2, while Linda Motlhalo also scored one. South Africa's other goal was an own goal by Italy in 2023.

COSAFA Women's Championship

South Africa competed in all eleven COSAFA Women's Championships – a tournament featuring nations from the Southern African region – since its inception in 2002. They have won seven titles (in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), finished second twice (in 2011 and 2022) and only failed to win a medal twice, when they finished fourth in 2021 and exited in the group stages 2023.[11]

In later years, because of South Africa's success and increased participation in bigger world events, management started sending newcomers to COSAFA tournaments, to broaden their talent pool. This contributed to a decline in Banyana Banyana's dominance at this event.[12]

Team image

Nicknames

The South Africa women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as "Banyana Banyana", which literally translates to "Girls Girls", but such double use is often interpreted to mean "all the girls". In the context of sport, it is also understood to mean "go girls, go girls".

This name is derived from the Senior Men's National team being "Bafana Bafana" which also literally means "the boys the boys". The nickname came into existence from fans shouting "bafana bafana" to mean "go boys, go boys" as encouragement during the South Africa men's team's first international game after many years of sporting isolation due to Apartheid policies in 1992, when they beat Cameroon 1–0 in Durban. The name stuck, and the female form was later applied to the women's team as well.

Naming rights

The team is currently branded as "Sasol Banyana Banyana", based on a multi-year financial investment in the team by Sasol.[13]

Banyana Banyana 2022 WAFCON
Banyana Banyana starting XI at the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Results and fixtures

Main article: South Africa women's national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture   Void or Postponed

2025

28 May Nations Challenge South Africa  3–2  Botswana Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Player of the Match: Karabo Dhlamini (South Africa)
3 June Nations Challenge South Africa  2–0  Zambia Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Referee: Vistoria Shangula (Namibia)
28 June Unofficial Friendly South Africa  2–0  Benin Mohammedia, Morocco
15:30 UTC+1 Stadium: Lanoria Club
7 July CAF WAFCON 2024 GS South Africa  2–0  Ghana Oujda, Morocco
17:00
Report Stadium: Honneur Stadium
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
11 July CAF WAFCON 2024 GS Tanzania  1−1  South Africa Oujda, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
  • Clement 24'
  • Katunzi Yellow card 72'
  • Chenge Yellow card 75' Yellow-red card 84'
Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium
Referee: Natacha Konan (Ivory Coast)
14 July CAF WAFCON 2024 GS South Africa  4−0  Mali Oujda, Morocco
20:00
Report Stadium: Honneur Stadium
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
19 July CAF WAFCON 2024 QF South Africa  0−0 (a.e.t.)
(4–1 p)		  Senegal Oujda, Morocco
21:00 Report Stadium: Honneur Stadium
Referee: Shahenda El Maghrabi (Egypt)
Penalties
22 July CAF WAFCON 2024 SF Nigeria  2–1  South Africa Casablanca, Morocco
18:00
Report
Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium
Referee: Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)
25 July CAF WAFCON 2024 3rd Ghana  1–1
(4–3 p)		  South Africa Casablanca, Morocco
21:00
Report
Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium
Referee: Shahenda El Maghrabi (Egypt)
Penalties
22 October WAFCON 2026 Q DR Congo  1–1  South Africa Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00
Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
28 October WAFCON 2026 Q South Africa  1–0  DR Congo Johannesburg, South Africa
19:00 Kgatlana 90+1' Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium
30 November Friendly Morocco  0–2  South Africa Rabat, Morocco
 Stadium: Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah

2026

18 February 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship South Africa  2–0  Malawi Polokwane, South Africa
15:00
Report Stadium: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Referee: Anna Banda (Zambia)
21 February 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship South Africa  2–0  Angola Seshego, South Africa
12:30
Report Stadium: Seshego Stadium
Referee: Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe)
24 February 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship South Africa  1–1  Lesotho Seshego, South Africa
15:00 Mphelo 39' Report Moalosi 30' Stadium: Seshego Stadium
Referee: Élodie Livaharivony (Madagascar)
27 February 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship South Africa  1–1
(4–2 p)		  Zimbabwe Polokwane, South Africa
15:00 Majiya 39' Report Chinyerere 11' Stadium: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Referee: Mathapelo Morake (Lesotho)
Penalties
  • soccer ball with check mark Chinyerere
  • soccer ball with check mark Kondo
  • soccer ball with red X Sipini
  • soccer ball with red X Ndlovu
1 March 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship Namibia  2–1 (a.e.t.)  South Africa Polokwane, South Africa
15:00
Report Majiya 37' Stadium: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Referee: Rose Zimba (Malawi)
14 April Friendly South Africa  1–0  Algeria Durban, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Majiya 35' Report (SAFA)
Report (FAF)		 Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium
Referee: Vistoria Shangula (Namibia)
17 April Friendly South Africa  2–0  Algeria Durban, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report (SAFA)
Report (FAF)		 Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
Referee: Seonyatseng Tshephe (Botswana)
6 June Friendly Japan  v  South Africa Osaka, Japan
15:50 UTC+9 Stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium
July 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations South Africa  v  Tanzania Rabat, Morocco
Report (FIFA) Stadium: Al Medina Stadium
July 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations South Africa  v  Ivory Coast Rabat, Morocco
Report (FIFA) Stadium: Al Medina Stadium
July 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations Burkina Faso  v  South Africa Rabat, Morocco
Report (FIFA) Stadium: Al Medina Stadium

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

More information Coach, Name ...
Coach Name Ref.
Head coach South Africa Desiree Ellis
Assistant coach South Africa Thinasonke Mbuli
Goalkeeper Coach South Africa Cameron Cox
Performance Analyst South Africa Shilene Booysen
Physical Trainer South Africa Ridhaa Allie
Kit Manager South Africa Evah Mokwape
General Manager South Africa Lauren Duncan
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Manager history

See also: Category:South Africa women's national soccer team managers
More information Coach, Nat. ...
All-time Banyana Banyana coaching records
Coach Nat. Tenure Reference
Sandile Bali  South Africa 1995 [14]
Nomalungelo Mooi  South Africa 1998 [14]
Fran Hilton-Smith  South Africa 2000 [14]
Greg Mashilo  South Africa 2002 – 2004 [15]
August Makalakalane  South Africa 2006 – 2011 [16][17]
Joseph Mkhonza  South Africa 2011 – 2014 [18][19]
Vera Pauw  Netherlands 2014 – 2016 [20]
Desiree Ellis  South Africa 2016 – present [21]
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Players

See also: Category:South Africa women's international soccer players and Category:South African women's soccer players
Main article: List of South Africa women's international soccer players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the international friendly against Morocco from 28 November to 4 December 2025.[22]

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1GK Casey Gordon (2007-12-03) 3 December 2007 (age 18) South African Football Association JVW
1GK Andile Dlamini (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 (age 33) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
1GK Dineo Magagula (1994-10-14) 14 October 1994 (age 31) South African Football Association TS Galaxy Queens
2DF Lebohang Ramalepe (1991-12-03) 3 December 1991 (age 34) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
2DF Fikile Magama (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 24) South African Football Association UWC Ladies FC
2DF Bambanani Mbane (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990 (age 36) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
2DF Karabo Dhlamini (2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 (age 24) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
2DF Unathi Simayile South African Football Association UWC Ladies FC
2DF Sibahle Maneli South African Football Association TS Galaxy Queens
2DF Antonia Maponya (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 (age 26) South African Football Association UWC Ladies FC
2DF Asanda Hadebe (2003-10-13) 13 October 2003 (age 22) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
3MF Bongeka Gamede (1999-05-22) 22 May 1999 (age 26) Danish Football Association Nordsjælland
3MF Jessica Wade South African Football Association JVW
3MF Linda Motlhalo (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 (age 27) Scottish Football Association Glasgow City
3MF Isabella Ludwig (2002-12-13) 13 December 2002 (age 23) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
3MF Refiloe Jane (captain) (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 (age 33) South African Football Association TS Galaxy Queens
3MF Amogelang Motau (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 29) Mexican Football Federation Club Tijuana
3MF Regina Mogoloa (1993-04-17) 17 April 1993 (age 33) South African Football Association JVW
3MF Noxolo Cesane (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 (age 25) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
3MF Michelle Sampson (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 (age 22) South African Football Association UFH Ladies FC
3MF Bongiwe Thusi South African Football Association JVW
3MF Nonhlanhla Mthandi (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 (age 30) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
4FW Nobahle Mdelwa South African Football Association University of Johannesburg
4FW Khwezi Khoza (2000-04-03) 3 April 2000 (age 26) South African Football Association Durban Ladies WFC
4FW Nthabiseng Majiya (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 21) South African Football Association Mamelodi Sundowns
4FW Bonolo Mokoma (2008-04-30) 30 April 2008 (age 18) South African Football Association JVW
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Recent call ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Kaylin Swart (1994-09-30) 30 September 1994 (age 31) South Africa JVW v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
GK Casey Gordon ALT (2007-12-03) 3 December 2007 (age 18) 0 0 South Africa JVW 2024 WAFCOM
GK Jessica Williams (1999-12-02) 2 December 1999 (age 26) 5 1 South Africa Bagers FC v.  Zambia, 3 June 2025
DF Tiisetso Makhubela (1997-04-24) 24 April 1997 (age 29) South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
DF Yolanda Nduli South Africa University of Johannesburg v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
DF Shakira O'Malley (2003-01-03) 3 January 2003 (age 23) South Africa UWC Ladies FC v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
DF Gabriela Salgado (1998-02-20) 20 February 1998 (age 28) 40 7 South Africa JVW 2024 WAFCOM
DF Lonathemba Mhlongo (2002-08-23) 23 August 2002 (age 23) 6 0 South Africa UWC Ladies FC 2024 WAFCOM
DF Shakira O'Malley PRE (2003-01-03) 3 January 2003 (age 23) 4 0 United States Western Michigan University 2024 WAFCOM
MF Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 (age 32) Democratic Republic of the Congo TP Mazembe v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
MF Hildan Nagaia Mexico Club Tijuana v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
MF Sibulele Holweni (2001-04-28) 28 April 2001 (age 25) 46 12 South Africa UWC Ladies FC 2024 WAFCOM
MF Adrielle Mibe (2007-01-26) 26 January 2007 (age 19) 4 1 South Africa UJ Ladies FC 2024 WAFCOM
FW Thembi Kgatlana (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 (age 29) 71 24 Mexico Tigres UANL v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
FW Sinoxolo Cesane (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 (age 25) Mexico Mazatlán FC v.  DR Congo, 28 October 2025
FW Jermaine Seoposenwe RET (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 (age 32) 112 25 Mexico Monterrey 2024 WAFCOM
FW Ronnel Donnelly (2004-03-31) 31 March 2004 (age 22) 4 1 South Africa UWC Ladies FC 2024 WAFCOM
FW Nthabiseng Majiya ALT (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 21) South Africa Mamelodi Sundowns 2024 WAFCOM
FW Michelle Sampson (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 (age 22) 4 1 South Africa UFH Ladies FC v.  Zambia, 3 June 2025
FW Renniker Khoza (2000-04-03) 3 April 2000 (age 26) 0 0 South Africa UFH Ladies FC v.  Zambia, 3 June 2025
Notes
  • ALT = Alternate
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • MED = Withdrew due to medical reasons
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team
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Previous squads

Turkish Women's Cup

Records

See also: Category:South Africa women's international soccer players
As of 17 April 2026
Players in bold are still active with the national team.
More information #, Player ...
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Honours

Major competitions

Continental

Regional


  1. Competition organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, officially not recognized by FIFA.


Awards

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

Main article: South Africa at the FIFA Women's World Cup
More information FIFA Women's World Cup record, Year ...
FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD Squad
China 1991Did not enter
Sweden 1995Did not qualify
United States 1999
United States 2003
China 2007
Germany 2011
Canada 2015
France 2019Group stage300318−7Squad
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023Round of 16411268−2Squad
Brazil 2027 To be determined
Costa RicaJamaicaMexicoUnited States 2031 To be determined
United Kingdom 2035 To be determined
Total2/97115716−9
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*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
More information FIFA Women's World Cup history, Year ...
FIFA Women's World Cup history
YearRoundDateOpponentResultStadium
France 2019 Group stage8 June SpainL 1–3Stade Océane, Le Havre
13 June ChinaL 0–1Parc des Princes, Paris
17 June GermanyL 0–4Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Group Stage23 July SwedenL 1–2Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
28 July ArgentinaD 2–2Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
2 August ItalyW 3–2Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Round of 166 August NetherlandsL 0–2Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
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Olympic Games

More information Summer Olympics record, Year ...
Summer Olympics record
Year Result Pld W D* L GS GA GD Squad
United States 1996Did not qualify
Australia 2000
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012Group stage301217−6Squad
Brazil 2016Group stage301203−3Squad
Japan 2020Did not qualify
France 2024
Total2/76024110−9
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*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Africa Women Cup of Nations

More information Africa Women Cup of Nations record, Year ...
Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD Squad
1991Banned
1995Finalist63121920−1
Nigeria 1998Group stage200227−5
South Africa 2000Runners-up540193+6Squad
Nigeria 2002Fourth place5212611−5
South Africa 2004Group stage300327−5
Nigeria 2006Third place521285+3
Equatorial Guinea 2008Runners-up530274+3
South Africa 2010Third place5311106+4Squad
Equatorial Guinea 2012Runners-up5302660Squad
Namibia 2014Fourth place511376+1Squad
Cameroon 2016Fourth place511353+2Squad
Ghana 2018Runners-up5320112+9Squad
2020Cancelled due to Covid
Morocco 2022Champions6600103+7Squad
Morocco 2024Fourth place623194+5Squad
TotalChampions: 1 time6833112411187+24
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*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

African Games

More information African Games record, Year ...
African Games record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
Nigeria 2003Runners- up5401123
Algeria 2007Runners- up421177
Mozambique 2011Fourth place5122810
Republic of the Congo 20155th202011
Morocco 20197th200204
Ghana 2023 Did not qualify
Total5/6187562825
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COSAFA Women's Championship

More information COSAFA Women's Championship record, Year ...
COSAFA Women's Championship record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD Squad
Zimbabwe 2002Champions5500362+34
Zambia 2006Champions4400192+17
Angola 2008Champions
Zimbabwe 2011Runners-up5401143+11
Zimbabwe 2017Champions5320123+9
South Africa 2018Champions5500132+11
South Africa 2019Champions5500272+25
South Africa 2020Champions5500223+19Squad
South Africa 2021Fourth place522186+2Squad
South Africa 2022Runners-up531192+7Squad
South Africa 2023 Group stage320195+4Squad
South Africa 2024 Runners-up5320132+11Squad
TotalWinner52416518232+150
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*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

The list shown below shows the women's South Africa national soccer team's all−time international record against opposing nations.
*As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)
More information Against, Pld ...
Against Pld W D L GF GA GD Confederation
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Record per opponent

*As ofxxxxx after match against xxxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)

The following table shows South Africa's all-time official international record per opponent:

More information Opponent, Pld ...
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD W% Confederation
 Denmark100105(5)0UEFA
 Jamaica301237(4)0CONCACAF
Total—
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See also

National teams

References

External links

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