18 June 2019 – By qualifying for the tournament, South Africa reached some milestones.

Here are some facts about Banyana Banyana in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup.

  • It was the first time a South African Women’s National Team walked onto the field in a FIFA Women’s World Cup
  • First time for the South African flag to fly high at this tournament
  • First time the South African national anthem being sung at this competition
  • Desiree Ellis is the first ever coach to guide a South African Senior Women’s National Team in the tournament
  • Janine van Wyk is the first player to captain the team at this level
  • Thembi Kgatlana scored the first and solitary goal for Banyana Banyana in a World Cup – thereby becoming the first African player to score against a European side in the tournament since 1995
  • Nothando Vilakazi becoming the first ever Banyana Banyana player to be red carded in the World Cup
  • Jermaine Seoposenwe, Kaylin Swart and Sibulele Holweni are the only three South African female players to play in two different World Cup tournaments in different levels (U-17 and Banyana Banyana)
  • It was also the first time they faced Spain and Germany
  • Ellis used only 21 players in the three fixtures – with goalkeeper Mapaseka Mpuru as well as Karabo Dhlamini, Bongeka Gamede and Tiisetso Makhubela unused substitutes
  • Only three players featured in every minute of the tournament – captain Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou and Lebohang Ramalepe
  • Six players managed to start all three matches Van Wyk, Ramalepe, Matlou, Refiloe Jane, Ode Fulutudilu and Kholosa Biyana
  • Leandra Smeda and Thembi Kgatlana also played all three matches – Smeda coming off the bench on three occasions, while Kgatlana didn’t start in the third game
  • Mamello Makhabane, Andile Dlamini, Busisiwe Ndimeni, Linda Motlhalo, Nothando Vilakazi, Amanda Mthandi and Jermaine Seoposenwe all played two matches each
  • Kaylin Swart, Bambanani Mbane, Holweni and Rhoda Mulaudzi made one appearance each
  • Mapaseka Mpuru remains the only uncapped player in the squad
  • South Africa had one red card – Nothando Vilakazi
  • Conceded eight goals – two of them penalties (against Spain)
  • Banyana Banyana knocked out in the first round
  • South Africa exit the tournament with no points
  • Banyana Banyana played in Le Havre (Stade Océane), Paris (Parc des Princes) and Montpellier (Stade de la Mosson)

The squad will depart France on Tuesday evening (18 June) is and is expected to land in South Africa on Wednesday morning (10h45).