Thembi Kgatlana of Banyana Banyana celebrates after Italy scored an own goal during their Women's World Cup clash in Wellington, New Zealand, on 2 August 2023. (EPA / Ritchie B Tongo) 
It took them six World Cup matches. However, South Africa’s senior women’s side finally have a win at the Fifa Women’s World Cup. Banyana Banyana dug deep to defeat Italy 3-2 and secure passage into the second round of the ongoing global soccer spectacle.
South Africa will face the Netherlands in the second round.
Thembi Kgatlana — wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of injured skipper Refiloe Jane — netted the winning goal. This after Italian defender Benedetta Orsi gifted South Africa an equaliser to cancel out Arianna Caruso’s 11th-minute spot-kick at a windy Wellington Stadium.
What ensued was a slugfest between the two sides — each fully cognisant of the fact that victory would ensure they finish second behind Group G heavyweights Sweden.
Hildah Magaia had South Africans dreaming with her tidy finish on 67 minutes. However, as has been the case throughout this tournament — Banyana failed to protect their lead as Caruso nodded in from a corner kick seven minutes after the reigning African champions had grabbed the lead for the first time in the game.
Instead of capitulating following that setback, Desiree Ellis and her charges brought the fight to the Italians. The Europeans knew that a draw would see them through to the round of 16. For South Africa, it was win or head home.
Thembi Kgatlana of Banyana Banyana celebrates after Italy scored an own goal during the Fifa Women's World Cup 2023 match between South Africa and Italy, in Wellington, New Zealand on 2 August 2023. (EPA/Ritchie B Tongo)
Win they did — with Magaia and Kgatlana combining to great effect to ensure success for South Africa. The latter had been a constant menace for the Azzurre defence throughout the match, with a finish from close range to break Italy’s hearts and send the South Africans gathered at the stadium into a frenzy.
From then on it was a nervous 10 minutes or so of added time, with Italy coming close to another equaliser — if not for the outstretched leg of Kaylin Swart.
The goalkeeper has been under the spotlight for the bulk of the tournament, with questions swirling on social media as to why she was being preferred by Ellis to regular No 1 Andile Dlamini. That crucial save late will undoubtedly leave her detractors stuffing themselves with humble pie.
Without that contribution, Italy would have scored and probably landed the sucker punch on the South Africans.
As it is, the African champions join Nigeria in qualifying for the second round.
"They fought like warriors," coach Desiree Ellis, who was a founding member of the South Africa women's side in 1993, said with tears in her eyes.
"They fought like the heroines that we know that they are. They fought to be historically remembered and they've made history not just getting our first win, but going to the round of 16 and that is freaking amazing."
For their efforts and finishing second in their group, an extremely tough fixture against the Dutch awaits South Africa on Sunday. Nevertheless, Banyana Banyana will not be intimidated. Especially after such a mammoth effort against the Italians. DM