Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk says they are ready for the tough year ahead, starting with their upcoming fixtures against the Netherlands and Sweden, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The South African Women’s national team are currently in Cape Town to play two international friendly matches as they continue to prepare for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup in France, which takes place in June.

Banyana are set to face the Netherlands in the inaugural Winnie Mandela International Challenge at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, before taking on Sweden three days later in the Albertina Sisulu Centenary Challenge at the same venue.

Van Wyk says her side are ready to test themselves against the Netherlands and Sweden, while stating that Banyana has the quality to overcome both nations when they lock horns in Cape Town.

‘Camp is going really well. All the players are buzzing at training and ready for another tough year ahead. We know there is a lot of hard work to be done, and what better test for us than playing top quality teams such as the Netherlands and Sweden,’ Van Wyk said.

‘We have come a long way and have grown so much in our game over the past year. I am pretty confident that it would be tough for opponents to break us down if we manage to stay on top of our game. The good thing is we have played and lost to both nations before, so we know what to expect.

‘We could not have asked for [a greater] start to our preparations in such an important year for women’s football. Whatever the outcome this time around, the main aim is to make sure we are ready for the tournament in June – and it all starts here and now.’

Banyana Banyana against the Netherlands kicks off at 3pm.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix