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15 Best South African Women Football Players of All Time

South African women’s football has a rich history of captivating talents who have graced the pitch with their extraordinary brilliance. These fearless and tenacious players have etched their names into the archives of football greatness, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations.

From awe-inspiring goal scorers to mesmerizing playmakers, these lionesses nicknamed Banyana Banyana have revolutionized the very essence of the game, leaving rivals in awe and spectators spellbound.

With unwavering determination in every stride, they propel themselves to unmatched heights of achievement. Their mesmerizing skills and cunning tactics set the field ablaze with an inferno of passion, making each match a spectacle of raw talent and resilience.

These exceptional stars have shattered stereotypes, emphatically proving that the female game is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Let’s take a look at 15 of the best South African women’s football players of all time.

1. Noko Matlou

Noko Matlou is a South African soccer player who has achieved great success in her career. She currently plays as a defender for SD Eibar in Spain, but she has also played as a striker for the South African women’s national team.

In 2008, Matlou made history by becoming the first South African to be named African Women’s Footballer of the Year. This is a prestigious award that is given to the best female soccer player in Africa.

Matlou’s success is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has been playing soccer since she was a child, and she has always dreamed of playing at the highest level. 

2. Thembi Kgatlana

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Thembi Kgatlana is a talented South African footballer who plays as a forward for Racing Louisville FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and for the South Africa women’s national team. She represented her country at the 2016 Summer Olympics, the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

At the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, Kgatlana was named Player of the Tournament and top scorer. She also scored South Africa’s first goal in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at the 2019 tournament.

3. Portia Modise

Portia Modise is a prominent South African soccer player who made history by becoming the first African player to score 100 international goals. She was named Player of the Championship at the 2006 Women’s African Football Championship and represented South Africa at the 2012 London Olympics.

Modise retired from international football in 2015 after playing 124 matches and scoring 101 goals for the South African national team.

4. Janine van Wyk

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Janine van Wyk is a talented South African soccer athlete who is a defender and proudly represents her club JVW in her home country. With an impressive record of 180 appearances, she holds the prestigious title of being the highest-capped player in South Africa and the highest-capped female player in the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

During her career, Janine van Wyk had the honour of playing for Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League, making her the first South African player to be signed to this league.

On September 18, 2018, she achieved a remarkable milestone by earning her 150th cap for the South African women’s national soccer team. As a result, she holds the esteemed record as the most-capped football player in South Africa, regardless of gender.

5. Jermaine Seoposenwe

Jermaine Seoposenwe is a talented South African soccer player who plays as a forward for Monterrey in Mexico and the South African women’s national team. She was a key player for South Africa at the 2018 CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, where they reached the final but lost to Nigeria in a penalty shootout.

This result qualified South Africa for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where Seoposenwe featured in matches against China and Spain.

On July 4, 2022, Seoposenwe scored Banyana Banyana’s opening goal in their 2-1 victory against Nigeria at the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. 

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6. Kholosa Biyana

Kholosa Mthikazi Biyana is a South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Sporting de Gijón in Spain and the South Africa women’s national team. She is a talented and versatile player who is known for her passing, dribbling, and shooting skills.

7. Refiloe Jane

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Refiloe Jane is a talented South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for US Sassuolo in Italy and the South African women’s national team. She has also played for Tshwane University of Technology and Canberra United in Australia.

Jane is a skilled and versatile player who is known for her passing, dribbling, and shooting skills. She is also a hard worker and is always willing to put in the extra effort.

In 2016, Jane was selected to represent South Africa at the Summer Olympics. She played every minute of the team’s three group games, and her performances helped South Africa to reach the quarterfinals.

In February 2019, Jane made her 100th appearance for the South Africa national team. This is a remarkable achievement, and it is a testament to her dedication and contributions to the sport.

8. Mamello Makhabane

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Mamello Makhabane is a proficient South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for JVW FC and the South African women’s national team. She has been a member of the national team since 2005 and has played a key role in helping South Africa qualify for major tournaments, including the 2012 Summer Olympics.

In 2014, Makhabane was selected for the senior team roster in preparation for the 2014 African Women’s Championship. She has since made over 100 appearances for the national team, and she is one of the most experienced players in the squad.

9. Thokozile Mndaweni

Thokozile Mndaweni is a talented South African female football goalkeeper who plays for Croesus Ladies. She is also a member of the South African women’s national football team, and she represented the country at the 2012 London Olympics.

Mndaweni is known for her outstanding performances, particularly her ability to make saves in penalty shootouts. In April 2011, she made an impressive save during a penalty shootout against Tunisia, and she later converted her spot kick to help South Africa win the match. This victory was crucial for South Africa’s qualification for the 2012 Olympics.

10. Robyn Moodaly

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Robyn Kimberly Moodaly is a talented South African soccer player who specializes as a midfielder. She has represented South Africa at the highest level, playing in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.

Moodaly’s career began at the University of Pretoria’s High-Performance Centre, where she caught the attention of the South African women’s national football team selectors. She was subsequently included in the national Under-17 squad and represented South Africa in the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

In January 2011, Moodaly made her senior national team debut at the young age of 16. This was an impressive achievement, and it showcased her exceptional talent and potential as a player.

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11. Gabriela Salgado

Gabriela de Jesus Thomas Salgado is a talented South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for JvW in the SAFA Women’s League and the South Africa women’s national team.

She made her debut for the national team in a friendly match against Zambia on February 12, 2022, which resulted in a 3-0 loss. Salgado was first called up to the team in January 2017, but she did not play in that match against France.

On June 23, 2023, Salgado’s exceptional skills and performance earned her a spot in the final squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

12. Sibulele Holweni

Sibulele Cecilia Holweni is a talented South African soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Sophakama/HPC and the South African women’s national team. She made her senior debut in a friendly match against the United States on May 12, 2019, which resulted in a 0-3 loss.

However, Holweni’s skills and potential shone through on November 9, 2020, when she scored five goals in the team’s 7-0 victory over Comoros in the 2020 COSAFA Women’s Championship. This was an impressive feat, and it helped South Africa to top their group and advance to the knockout stage of the competition.

13. Nomvula Kgoale

Nomvula Kgoale is a skilled South African soccer player who plays as a defender for CD Parquesol in the Spanish Primera Federación and the South Africa women’s national team. She has experience playing in international tournaments, having represented South Africa at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Kgoale made her senior national team debut on May 12, 2019, in a friendly match against the United States. The match resulted in a 0-3 loss, but Kgoale’s performance was impressive nonetheless. She showed her potential as a defender, and she was able to hold her own against some of the best players in the world.

Kgoale’s debut was a significant moment in her career, as it marked her first step towards becoming an integral part of the national team. 

14. Andile Dlamini

Andile Dlamini is a talented South African footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African women’s national team. She made her international debut in 2011 in a match against Botswana.

Dlamini has predominantly served as the reserve goalkeeper for the national team, with Thokozile Mndaweni and Roxanne Barker occupying the starting positions. However, she has been called upon to start matches on several occasions, and she has always performed well.

Dlamini is a reliable and experienced goalkeeper who is always ready to step in when needed.

15. Bongeka Gamede

Bongeka Gamede is a talented South African footballer who plays as a defender for both the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the South African women’s national team.

She made her international debut in a pre-World Cup friendly against Norway on June 2, 2019. She came on as a substitute in the match, which South Africa lost 7-2.

Despite the result, Gamede’s debut marked the beginning of her journey as a valuable member of the national team. She has since gone on to make several more appearances for the team, and she is now a regular starter.

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