Banyana Banyana veteran Janine van Wyk has called time on her illustrious career as a defender of the senior national women’s side. Arguably one of the most impactful players to don the Banyana jersey, van Wyk made her debut for the national team in 2005 against Nigeria in the African Women’s Championship.
In August 2014, she played her 100th cap for South Africa against Namibia, winning 2–0, and understandably so, even with 183 international caps to her name in 2023, the former Banyana captain says this was an incredibly difficult decision to make.
“This has been by far one of the hardest decisions of my life.”
Iconic Banyana Banyana football player, Janine van Wyk
“This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on MY terms,” she said, “And this is my time to say goodbye to football as a player, while I watch the next generation shine.
“It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this beautiful game, in particular playing for my Country, which has and always will be the greatest gift football has ever offered me.”
FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. All these epic stories and many more could not have been
achieved without the massive contribution of this giant.” SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan.
Photo: Janine van Wyk on Instagram
Coach Desiree Ellis could name the founder of JVW FC in the team to face DR Congo in two 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers this month, and it is expected that the two matches could be earmarked as a special send-off for Van Wyk.
Should Janine feature in the two matches, she will become the most capped international -male or female – on the continent.
Banyana Banyana will face the DR Congo in the first leg away from home on 25 October 2023 and then host the Congolese in South Africa a few days later.
From Alberton to the Olympics
Ellis said Van Wyk “deserves her flowers” and has been an icon, an inspiration and a massive ambassador for South African football in general.
“There are so many superlatives that I can use to describe Janine. I think she’s an absolute legend of the game, not just in South Africa, but also on the African continent as well as globally!”
Banyana Banyana Head coach Desiree Ellis
“She has led the team at Olympic Games and the World Cup. She has given her all every time she has stepped onto the field,” said Ellis. “She loved representing this national team and has always played with her heart on her sleeve. She’s an absolute role model to all the kids out there. And I wish her everything of the best in her new adventure.
as a player, while I watch the next generation shine.” Hats off, Janine van Wyk!
Photo: FIFPro on Instagram
“I pray that she’s just as successful as her career was. Many blessings to her. I think the legacy she’s left behind has been the hard work she’s put in, always making sure that she’s in absolute good shape to come and represent the national team, and always giving her best.”
South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan also paid tribute to van Wyk. “Janine has been a selfless servant of the game and her legendary playing career has influenced so many young girls who have taken up this sport as a career,” the SAFA President said.
“Today, Banyana Banyana are continental champions and also achieved a historic second round milestone in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. All these epic stories and many more could not have been achieved without the massive contribution of this giant.”
SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan
SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao says the send-off will be a fitting tribute to one of the country’s football giants on and off the football pitch: “Janine has run her race, and what a journey and story she has given us. Her story is what legends are made of.”
Main Photo Caption: Banyana Banyana veteran Janine van Wyk has announced her retirement from international football, ahead of the prospect of a final outing for SA at the upcoming 2024 CAF Olympic qualifiers to become Africa’s most capped international. Photo: Getty
Photo 2 Caption: “Banyana Banyana are continental champions and also achieved a historic second round milestone in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. All these epic stories and many more could not have been achieved without the massive contribution of this giant.” SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan Photo: Janine van Wyk on Instagram
Photo 3 Caption: “This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on MY terms, and this is my time to say goodbye to football as a player, while I watch the next generation shine” Hats off for Janine van Wyk! Photo: FIFPro on Instagram
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