South Africa's Women's Team: What is the prediction for the 2023 World Cup?
by Yunchu Li | by Kevin Richard
South Africa's Women's Team: What is the prediction for the 2023 World Cup?
As the South African women's football team sets their sights on the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, they also carry the weight of their first ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2022. That was achieved with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Morocco in the final.
However, their hopes of repeating that success in the 2023 Women’s World Cup finals will be a difficult task. They find themselves in Group G, pitted against the formidable opposition of Argentina, Italy, and Sweden. Join SportyTrader as we analyse the chances that the African champions have at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup as well as some of the interesting betting markets that you can get involved in below.
Can Banyana Banyana turn continental dominance into global success?
Well, the short answer is - Probably not! Despite their dominance on the African continent, with as many as five Women's Africa Cup of Nations runner-up finishes and one championship title, South Africa have struggled to make a significant impact on the global stage. They made their debut in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019, although their campaign lasted just three matches as they finished at the bottom of their group. However, instead of dwelling on the past, Banyana Banyana used that experience as a stepping stone for growth. Since then, they have shown remarkable progress, culminating in their recent success at the continental level.
The South African Women’s football team boasts a talented roster with players who possess the skill, experience, and leadership required for success in international competitions. Players like Thembi Kgatlana, who was instrumental in their African triumph, and captain Janine van Wyk will play crucial roles in guiding the team's performance in the tournament. Banyana Banyana also have several players that bring international club experience to their ranks, which is invaluable in world football competitions. Noko Matou and Leandra Smeda currently apply their trade at SD Eibar and UD Logrones in Spain, respectively, while local superstar Linda Motlhalo recently joined Scottish giants Glasgow City after a spell at Djurgardens in Sweden.
According to FIFA standings, Banyana Banyana are the third-lowest-ranked side of any nation participating in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. They currently rank 54th in the world, with only fellow-African counterparts Morocco and Zambia ranked lower at 72nd and 77th, respectively.. The draw for the 2023 Women's World Cup has placed South Africa in Group G, which is a challenging group that includes powerhouses Argentina (ranked 28th), Italy (ranked 16th), and Sweden (ranked 3rd). Against some of the best sides in the world, Banyana Banyana’s chances of finishing in the top two places in their group look fairly unlikely, but it does give them the opportunity to prove themselves on a global scale and showcase the progress they have made over the years.
Women’s World Cup 2023 - South Africa’s fixtures
South Africa Women have been drawn into Group G, which also includes Argentina, Italy, and Sweden. Here are the dates that Banyana Banyana will be in action:
- Sunday, 23 July 2023 - vs Sweden (to be played at Wellington Regional Stadium)
- Friday, 28 July 2023 - vs Argentina (to be played at Forsyth Barr Stadium)
- Wednesday, 2 August 2023 - vs Italy (to be played at Wellington Regional Stadium)
What Bets to make on the South Africa Women’s team in the World Cup?
First off, we would not recommend backing South Africa to win the tournament at this stage. They are currently priced at a whopping 751.0, making them the sixth-largest outsider to win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with only Costa Rica, Morocco, Vietnam, Panama, and the Philippines displaying higher odds.
Sweden and Italy are the frontrunners likely to advance to the next stage, with the former currently returning as much as 21.0 to win the tournament according to the best odds available at Bet365, despite their world number three ranking and silver medal in Tokyo 2020.
Italy has shown significant progress in its women's program, finishing top of their group in qualifying. With a strong defence that conceded only two goals in ten matches, the Italians have the potential to pose a challenge to any opponent. Italy are currently priced at a very tempting 101.0 on the each-way market at Betway, which looks well worth a cheeky punt.
Here are our early predictions for Banyana Banyana’s matches at the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup:
1. South Africa vs Sweden - Sunday, 23 July 2023:
Venue
Wellington Regional Stadium
Key Facts
South Africa faces a tough challenge in their opening fixture against Sweden, a team with a formidable reputation in women's football. These two teams have met on only four occasions, with Sweden holding the upper hand of three wins and no losses. In their last encounter in 2019, South Africa managed to hold Sweden to a 0-0 draw. However, Sweden did not field their strongest side on that day, and South Africa will need to be resilient and disciplined defensively to contain Sweden's attacking prowess in this one.
Bet Recommendation
Considering Sweden's strength and South Africa's poor record against them, the odds unsurprisingly favour Sweden to win this fixture. Our recommended bet is Sweden to win (Odds: 1.25 at Betway).
2. South Africa vs Argentina - Friday, 28 July 2023:
Venue
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Key Facts
South Africa's clash against Argentina presents an intriguing matchup and will arguably be their best chance of recording a win in the tournament. These teams have not met in a competitive match before, but Argentina are the strong favourites owing to their excellent performances during qualifying. We have a feeling that this fixture could be much more closely contested than the odds suggests and may just be the value bet in the group matches.
Bet Recommendation
Given the lack of history between South Africa and Argentina, this fixture has the potential for an unpredictable outcome. Argentina does not possess the strongest defence around, and Banyana Banyana could give them a few scares in this one. Keep your eyes on the betting markets for this one when they are released. Bet recommendation: BTTS (Odds: TBC).
3. South Africa vs Italy - Wednesday, 2 August 2023:
Venue
Wellington Regional Stadium
Key Facts
South Africa's final group-stage fixture is against Italy, another strong European team. Like Argentina, South Africa have never faced this opposition in a competitive match, and are likely to struggle against the solid defensive unit of Italy. South Africa have the pace and flair to cause a few problems, but the Italians are strongly fancied to qualify behind Sweden for the next round, and if that is to be the case, then they will likely take the win in this one.
Bet Recommendation
Considering Italy's track record and their defensive strength, they are likely to have the edge in this fixture. Bet recommendation: Italy to win (Odds: TBC).
SportyTrader’s Best Bet - Sweden Women to win the group at odds of 2.0 at Vbet
Other betting Odds:
- South Africa to win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup - 751.0 at Bet365
- South Africa to qualify from Group G - 67.0 at Betway
- South Africa to NOT qualify from Group G - 1.05 at Bet365
Don't forget you will be able to follow each and every match on our Women's World Cup live page. You can also check out Women's World Cup odds page to take advantage of all the offers at different betting sites!
Did you Know about South Africa's Women's Team?
- Banyana Banyana was formed in 1993 and played their first-ever official match on 30 May 1993 against neighbours Swaziland.
- In 2022, the South Africa Women's National Team achieved their first-ever title at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, beating Morocco 2-1 in the final.
- Banyana Banyana has been one of the strongest teams on the African continent in women's football. They have finished as runners-up in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations five times before they were crowned champions in 2022.
- South Africa made their debut in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019. While their campaign lasted only three matches, as they finished bottom of their group, their participation marked an important milestone for women's football in the country.
- Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is the only person to win the COSAFA Cup as both a player and a coach.
