Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana etched their name into history books when they reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the very first time after beating Italy 3-2 in Wellington on Wednesday.

With this win, which was their first at the global showpiece, Banyana Banyana finished second in Group G to join Sweden in the last 16 where they’ll face the winners of Group E. Both teams needed a positive result coming into the match, Banyana having squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Argentina on Friday, while Italy were beaten 5-0 by Sweden on Saturday.

The goals scored by Thembi Kgatlana and Hilda Magaia against Italy will be remembered for a very long time! What a moment for South Africa!

Banyana Banyana, who were without injured captain Refiloe Jane were on the back foot early on. In the 11th minute Karabo Dhlamini fouled Chira Beccari inside the box, resulting in a penalty for Le Azzurre, which Arianna Caruso slotted past a helpless Kaylin Swart.

That early set-back meant that SA had to dig deep if they were to get the win they needed. And they came out of the blocks, launching attack after attack.

Captain Thembi Kgatlana tested the waters first after hitting a ball high and wide of the target following a poor clearance from the Italians’ defence. Robyn Moodlay came close to equalising for Banyana, but her volley rattled the upright after another poor clearance fell to her path following a square ball from Dhlamini.

Banyana finally drew level after an under-pressure Benedetta Orsi unfortunately hit a back-pass to hard and rolled past her own goalkeeper Francesca Durante and into the back of the net.

But soon thereafter, Le Azzurre nearly restored their lead after Beccari rose high in the box to connect with a corner kick which she headed against the upright.

With the scoreline favouring the Italians at the break, Banyana had to put their best foot forward from the outset in the second half to search for goals. After a timely save from Swart early in the second half, striker Hidah Magaia found the lead for Banyana after an assist from Kgatlana inside the box. The lead was short-lived as Caruso punished Banyana’s sloppiness in defence with a glancing header from a corner kick late in the game.

In stoppage time, though, Banyana Banyana proved their prowess as Kgatlana, benefiting from a Magaia assist, sent the African Champions to the promised land with a cool tap-in!

Next Match | Round of 16

Netherlands vs South Africa

Date: Sunday, 6 August 2023

Time: 4am (RSA time)