8 June 2026 – Saso Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane says the South African senior women’s national team wants to rectify their mistakes when they face Japan in Osaka in the second international friendly match against the hosts on Tuesday.
The South Africans will get another opportunity to show what they are made of when they tackle Nadeshiko Japan again on Tuesday (9 June 2026) at the J Green Sakai Field. This game comes just days after their first meeting where coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ charges were on the receiving end of a 5-0 defeat on Saturday.
“A difficult game we played in the first game, we knew that it wasn’t going to be easy and they came exactly the way we anticipated. Their level is a few steps ahead of us but we were able to hold down where we could and we were able to fight until the end. We never gave up, even though when you look at the score line it felt like it was a walk in the park for them, but it wasn’t so. Now we have a chance to rectify our mistakes and work on our organization as a team, defensively and offensively, we’re looking for a better match in the second game,” said Jane after their final training session in Osaka.
“A lot of lessons learned in the first game, and I’m sure we will take something out of the second game. We need to look at the bigger picture, we know that we are preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations next month, which will also be a World Cup qualifying tournament. So for us we have to make sure that in both games we take as many lessons as we can because I think this is the final preparation for the big one, so it’s good that you’re playing these games.”
While the focus is on the clash between the two nations, there is a celebration for Banyana Banyana as Jane will be joining an elite group of players to have reached the milestone of 150 appearances for the country. She becomes the fourth player to achieve this success after the retired trio of former captain Janine van Wyk (185), defender Noko Matlou (174) and midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni (150). The 33-year-old Soweto-born Jane made her debut in 2012.
“When I look at that milestone it feels as if it’s been forever, but it’s something to be grateful for. It shows the hard work, commitment, the discipline and everything that I’ve worked hard for throughout the years in the national team. It’s not easy to get to 150, it’s not easy to get to 10, it’s not easy being here in the first place, but with the courage, the discipline and the willingness to work for the nation, that’s why I’m here. So, it will be nice to get that milestone and even beyond,” added Jane.
Kickoff between Sasol Banyana Banyana and Japan is at 08h30 South African time.
South African Football: The team has participated in various international tournaments beyond AFCON and the World Cup.
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