Results

Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Women 10/28 17:00 - South Africa (W) v DR Congo (W) W 1-0
Africa Cup of Nations Women 07/25 19:00 50 [2] Ghana Women v South Africa Women [1] D 1-1
Africa Cup of Nations Women 07/22 16:00 2 Nigeria Women v South Africa Women L 2-1
Africa Cup of Nations Women 07/19 19:00 3 [1] South Africa Women v Senegal Women [3] W 4-1
Africa Cup of Nations Women 07/14 19:00 3 [1] South Africa Women v Mali Women [2] W 4-0
Africa Cup of Nations Women 07/11 19:00 2 [4] Tanzania Women v South Africa Women [2] D 1-1
Africa Cup of Nations Women 07/07 16:00 1 South Africa Women v Ghana Women W 2-0
Women’s International 06/03 13:00 - South Africa Women v Zambia Women W 2-0
Women’s International 05/28 13:00 - South Africa Women v Botswana Women W 3-2
Women’s International 04/08 13:00 - South Africa Women v Malawi Women W 2-1
Women’s International 04/05 13:00 - South Africa Women v Malawi Women W 3-0
Women’s International 02/25 13:00 - South Africa Women v Lesotho Women W 2-0

Stats

 TotalHomeAway
Matches played 16 10 6
Wins 8 8 0
Draws 5 2 3
Losses 3 0 3
Goals for 25 20 5
Goals against 14 4 10
Clean sheets 8 7 1
Failed to score 3 1 2

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).

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

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.

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.

Olympic Games

They qualified for Olympic football for the first time in 2012, with coach Joseph Mkhonza. 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.

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. Following the team's performance, Desiree Ellis would win the 2023 award for CAF Women's Coach of the Year.

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.

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.

South Africa (W) is the national women's soccer team representing South Africa in international competitions. Known for their resilience and growing talent, the team competes in tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, Africa Women Cup of Nations, and other regional qualifiers. They are dedicated to developing women's football in South Africa, inspiring young athletes, and showcasing their skills on the global stage. With a passionate fan base and a commitment to progress, South Africa (W) continues to strive for excellence and increased recognition in women's soccer worldwide.