South Africa at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Full schedule and how to watch live 

Making their second appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, South Africa goes into the global football showpiece with some confidence as reigning continental championships.

The team known as Banyana Banyana has had a topsy-turvy build-up ahead of the World Cup, including a fallout over bonus negotiations.

On the pitch, they have suffered three defeats since conquering their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown with a 2-1 win over Morocco in July 2022.

Still, South Africa is considered a team on the rise and far from a pushover for the other Group G teams Sweden, Italy, and Argentina would like to avoid.

Banyana Banyana will be looking to improve on the baptism of fire they received in their first appearance at the 2019 World Cup in France, where they finished last in their group, conceding eight goals.

The South Africans will have a tough opening assignment against Sweden, a seasoned team in the tournament boasting three bronze medals from 1991, 2011, and 2019.

Finally getting the monkey of winning the African title off their backs will hold the South Africans in good stead with the memory of their greatest triumph still fresh in their memories. Banyana Banyana finished as runners-up in four previous WAFCON finals before their title victory in 2022.

READ MORE:

• World Cup 2023 - full schedule

2023 Women's World Cup: South African players to watch

The team will go into the tournament without stalwart Janine van Wyk, the most-capped African women's footballer with 183 international caps. The veteran defender and former captain withdraw from the preliminary squad citing niggling injuries.

South Africa will still be able to call the experience of 13 players featured at the previous edition, including Refiloe Jane, who led the team to victory at WAFCON with co-captain Van Wyk.

The Sassuolo midfielder will lead the South African team into battle in familiar conditions after spending time with Canberra United in the Australian W League in 2019.

‘Fifinho’ has a wealth of experience at major championships having represented South Africa at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Midfielder Linda Motlhalo is considered one of the spearheads in the side boasting 18 goals in 65 caps for her country.

Andile Dlamini will provide some safe hands between the posts and will go into the tournament with some confidence after she was voted the best goalkeeper at WAFCON 2022.

Star striker Thembi Kgatlana will be looking to conjure the memory of her World Cup debut where she scored South Africa’s only goal in their opener against Spain.

Kgatlana was sidelined for nearly a year after suffering an injury during the 2022 WAFCON but made the cut for her second appearance at the tournament.

**South Africas World Cup schedule: **

Here’s how the group games are shaping up for the Sputh African team (all local times; AEST–UTC+12)

• 23 July: Sweden vs South Africa, 17:00 KO at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
• 28 July: Argentina vs South Africa, 12:00 KO at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dudein
• 2 August: South Africa vs Italy, 19:00 at Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

How to watch South Africa live 

Matches will be broadcast live in South Africa on SuperSport.

You can discover how to watch live and find the full list of confirmed broadcasters so far here.

South Africa's Women's World Cup 23-player squad:

Keepers: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Kebotseng Moletsane

Defenders: Karabo Dhlamini, Fikile Magama, Lebohang Ramalepe, Tiisetso Makhubela, Noko Matlou, Bongeka Gamede, Bambanani Mbane

Midfielders: Kholosa Biyana, Refiloe Jane, Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Nomvula Kgoale, Robyn Moodaly

Forwards: Jermaine Seoposenwe, Thembi Kgatlana, Noxolo Cesane, Melinda Kgadiete, Wendy Shongwe, Hildah Magaia, Gabriela Salgado