Captain of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Refiloe Jane, has made her debut in the Hollywoodbets Super League when she appeared for TS Galaxy Queens against First Touch on Saturday, 15 March 2025.
The clash took place at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and the midfielder helped her new employers to a 2-0 victory – with Promise Selana grabbing both goals.
Jane is one of the few South African stars – including Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe – who have never played in the elite women’s football league which was launched in the 2019/20 season.
The quartet had already left the country at that time.
Jane had a stint in Australia for Canberra United before moving to Italy where she spent most of her time abroad running out for giants AC Milan as well as Sassuolo in topflight football in that country.
It’s been 11 months since the South African last kicked a ball in an official match – this was in the 1-0 loss to bitter rivals Nigeria in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers on 9 April 2024. The defeat signaled the end of the road for the African Champions, missing out on the big stage for second year in a road after their last appearance in 2016 in Brazil.
Shortly after the Super Falcons of Nigeria defeat, Jane parted ways with Sassuolo, and later in the year underwent an operation for an injury that has troubled her since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia when she was substituted in the second game of the competition.
She became a bit part player for her club in Italy before deciding not to renew her contract with them and has since been home recuperating.
Jane has missed the two international friendly matches against Senegal, as well as against Denmark, England and a further two against Jamaica.
Just recently she and Banyana Banyana stalwart Leandra Smeda were spotted training with TS Galaxy Queens under the watchful eye of head Sizwe Sibiya.
Fifinho, as she is called by her peers, was recently unveiled by the Rockets alongside seven other players, including Smeda, who has been based abroad in Spain for the last few months after leaving the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
The Capetonian was not part of the match-day squad for TS Galaxy Queens against First Touch on Saturday (15 March) due to the delay in her registration card being issued but is expected to play a huge role at the club with her vast experience which has seen her amass a century of caps for South Africa.
At The Rockets, Jane and Smeda join several players who have national team experience, the likes of Busi Ndimeni, Mamello Makhabane, Selana, Lesego Nkoana, Nicole Michael, Dineo Magagula and Nothando Vilakazi – making TS Galaxy Queens perhaps one of the teams to beat this season.
They finished third on the table in 2024 behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and runners up UWC.
Also announced to be part of the squad for the current campaign are Babalwa Mngxunya, Gontse Homba, Nelly Gamede, Sinazo Zinto, Lethabo Ledwaba and Betty Mallela.
Jane’s return to action will no doubt put a smile on the face of Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis as this is a very important year for the African Champions who are planning to defend their title in July in Morocco.
By Matlhomola Morake
