Banyana Banyana continued their preparations for next year's Women's World Cup with a 4-1 loss to Australia on Saturday afternoon.
International Friendly
Result: Australia 4-1 South Africa
Date: 08 October 2022
Venue: Kingsmeadow Stadium
Banyana named a vastly different side from their big defeat against Brazil, as goalkeeper Regirl Ngobeni got a run in the line-up alongside the likes of Thalea Smidt and Gabriela Salgado while overseas-based Refiloe Jane and Thembi Kgatlana were not in the squad.
Australia were forceful in the opening exchanges and grabbed the lead inside five minutes after Ngobeni could not hold onto a header in the box, which allowed Cortnee Vine to net from close range.
Banyana looked to get back into the game with combinations but they could not progress play in the final third and with 23 minutes on the clock, they were punished from a swift attack after Vine doubled Australia's lead with a cheeky back-heel in the box.
The Matildas showed no signs of slowing down, with Clare Polkinghorne adding a third goal shorty before the halftime break with a towering header in the box.
Desiree Ellis changed the shape of the team with a double change at half-time, as Thato Letsoso replaced Sibulele Holweni in a defensive switch and Thubelihle Shamase came on for Solgado to add numbers upfront.
However, Banyana were not allowed to settle in the second stanza as Caitlin Foord found Australia's fourth goal eight minutes after the restart with a low curled shot towards the far pos.
Ellis' ladies were living dangerously from there, as Australia were denied the fifth goal by the crossbar and just after the hour-mark, Foord had a big chance after she rounded Ngobeni to go through on goal but her shot flashed just wide of the far post.
Banyana had breathing space with 20 minutes remaining, as they had a spell of encouraging possession but they did not have the pace and finesse to get behind the Australia defence.
Hildah Mogaia did bag a consolation goal three minutes before time with a chipped shot over goalkeeper Teagan Micah after he went through on goal, although the Australians were out of sight by then.
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