As they continue their preparations for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off next Friday in France, South Africa endured a harsh reality check in their final warm-up match. Banyana Banyana were heavily defeated 7–2 by Norway on Sunday evening in Amiens, a result that underlined both the scale of the challenge awaiting them at the tournament and the work that still remains to be done.
Head coach Desirée Ellis opted to use this last friendly as an opportunity to rotate her squad and assess several players who had not featured prominently in previous matches. However, the experiment quickly turned into a difficult night for the South Africans. Norway, well organized and ruthless in front of goal, took control from the opening minutes. South Africa struggled to contain the Scandinavian side’s pace, movement and physical presence, particularly in defensive transitions. The result was a disastrous first half in which Banyana Banyana conceded five goals, going into the break trailing 5–0.
Ellis had hoped to gain clarity about the readiness of certain players, but instead she was confronted with the reality that some were not yet at the required level. Norway exploited the gaps between South Africa’s lines, punished individual errors and showed the kind of clinical edge that is often decisive at major tournaments. For Banyana Banyana, the opening 45 minutes were a painful lesson in the intensity and precision demanded at World Cup level.
The second half did, however, bring a brief reaction. South Africa emerged with more urgency and commitment, pressing higher up the pitch and showing greater determination in duels. Their efforts were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Kholosa Biyana found the net, offering a glimmer of hope and something for her teammates to build on. Ten minutes later, Amanda Mthandi added a second goal, further reducing the deficit and restoring a measure of pride.
For a short spell, South Africa looked more settled, moving the ball with greater confidence and committing more players forward. Yet Norway soon reasserted their superiority. As the match wore on, the physical and tactical gap became evident once more. The Norwegians continued to create chances with alarming ease, and South Africa were unable to prevent the scoreline from worsening. By the final whistle, the 7–2 defeat reflected the dominance of Norway and the difficulties Banyana Banyana experienced throughout the evening.
While the result is undoubtedly worrying so close to the start of the World Cup, it also provides Ellis and her technical staff with clear indicators. The match exposed defensive fragilities, a lack of cohesion in certain areas and the challenge of coping with high-level opposition over 90 minutes. At the same time, the goals from Biyana and Mthandi offered small positives, showing that South Africa are capable of creating and converting chances when they play with confidence and intent.
South Africa have been drawn in Group B, where they will face Germany, Spain and China in the first round. It is a demanding group that leaves little margin for error. The heavy defeat against Norway serves as a stark reminder of what awaits them in France: elite opponents, relentless pressure and matches that will test their organization, mental strength and collective belief.
With the tournament just days away, Banyana Banyana must now quickly regroup, address their shortcomings and focus on building unity and resilience. The setback in Amiens is painful, but it may also prove valuable if it sharpens their concentration and fuels their determination to rise to the occasion on the world stage.
