It was exactly 18 years ago when an eighteen year old Janine van Wyk walked into the South African Senior Women’s National Team.
She never looked back.
The defender is currently on 184 caps – and is now the most capped female footballer on the continent, level with Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan.
That is all set to change on Monday, 4 December 2023 when Van Wyk steps onto the pitch of the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville where the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be taking on Burkina Faso in the second leg of the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Alberton-born player will be breaking Hassan’s record that has stood for 11 years – notching up her 185th cap, and becoming the footballer with the most national team appearances on the continent – female or male.
Looking back, hers has been a difficult but remarkable and enjoyable journey, as she puts it in her words.
“I have to be honest, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get this far – yes, I had big dreams but I wasn’t aware they would be this big,” said Van Wyk.
“I believe I was not as talented as everyone around me, but I had to work hard towards my dream, had to work hard to stay as long as I did in the game. And gratitude goes to so many people who believed in me, who stood by me, who supported me during all those times. I am what I am today, it’s thanks to them.”
Born in April 1987, she wanted nothing but to play football – unfortunately at the time there were no women football teams, and she was forced to play with boys, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Alongside patience, this whole experience taught her resilience and gave her longevity.
Perhaps one of the days she will not forget in a national team jersey will be the 7th of November in 2012 in Equatorial Guinea.
It was during the then African Women’s Championship (AWC), now renamed the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nation – the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana faced their nemesis, women’s football powerhouse, Nigeria, at the Nkoantoma Stadium in Bata.
The then 25-year old scored a screamer of a free-kick in the 23rd minute in the semi-finals, to not only register their first ever victory over the Super Falcons, but also knocked them out of the tournament.
Van Wyk would go on to net 12 goals for her country.
Over the years, she has become one of the longest-serving captains in the national team after taking over the armband from another Banyana Banyana legend, Amanda Dlamini, who led South Africa at the London 2012 Olympic Games, with Van Wyk part of the squad. Those who walked the journey of being captains before her include:
• Anthea Charles
• Desiree Ellis
• Deli
• Nthabeleng Modiko
• Portia Modise
• Simphiwe Dludlu
• Amanda Dlamini
• Janine van Wyk
• Refiloe Jane (current captain)
Stand in captain:
• Thembi Kgatlana (has been leading team since Jane’s injury in August at the World Cup)
Van Wyk’s first major tournament as a captain was at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She will go down in history as the first player to captain South Africa at a FIFA Women’s World Cup – this was in 2019 in France.
At the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, she was part of a team of captains along with Refiloe Jane and Andile Dlamini when Banyana Banyana lifted their maiden continental title in Morocco.
The defender, however, missed out on the ticket to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand in August due to injury, with Jane named captain of the squad.
Van Wyk signed her first professional contract in the USA for Houston Dash back in 2017, becoming the first South African woman footballer to be on the books of an American team – and she would later be joined by Thembi Kgatlana and Linda Motlhalo at the same club.
Janine has also been on the books of Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark, but injury prevented her from playing a single match. She won the league title with Glasgow City in Scotland and also played in Greece for Ergotelis WFC, her last stint abroad before returning home for the final dance.
The 36 year old is the first to admit that thanks to football, she has lived her dream, traveling to almost every corner of the world and meeting some of the most talented players in women’s football.
“I have been to battle against the likes of countries who are women’s football powerhouses, like Sweden, USA, Japan, Brazil, Spain, China, Germany, Netherlands, as well as Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco and Zambia, among others, and shared the field with some of their great players. I cannot ask for more,” said a beaming Van Wyk.
On the 26th of November, she featured for the very last time in domestic football, running out in the colour of JVW, a club she formed in 2012.
But the final last dance – is reserved for her beloved Banyana Banyana, when she faces Burkina Faso – wearing the national team colours as a player one last time.
“This has been by far one of the hardest decisions of my life. 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 as 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. I have been very lucky to have had such a lengthy career where I had the opportunity to play for a number of clubs locally as well as abroad. I have created unbelievable memories playing alongside and against some of the greatest players in the world, as well as featured in the best competitions football has to offer,” she wrote on social media not so long ago.
“My gratitude to all my teammates and coaches couldn’t be put into words. The highs and the lows as an athlete are only doable with those who push you to be better every single day and lift you up when needed. You have seen my at my best and at my worst. I will never forget what we achieved together and what lessons we learned along the way. I am truly thankful to each one of you for helping me make all my dreams come true. To the fans, you have made this journey remarkable, life-changing and so fun. Thank you for making me love this beautiful game a lot more when I stepped onto the pitch. I have been honoured to have played football and showcased my best to you. Your incredible support throughout the years has been fuel to offer you more… Finally, to football: You have given me purpose every single day to live my life to the fullest. I will never forget this incredible journey with you.”
Honours
Glasgow City
South Africa
Individual
- South African Football Association Best Female Player: 2010
- COSAFA Women’s Championship Player of the Tournament: 2011
- Ekurhuleni Sports Awards Ekurhuleni Sports Woman of the Year: 2012
- Gauteng Sports Awards Sports Personality of the Year: 2015
- IFFHS CAF Women’s Team of the Decade 2011–2020
| Janine Van Wyk | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Janine van Wyk | ||
| Date of birth | 17 April 1987 (age 36) | ||
| Place of birth | Alberton, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
| Current team | JVW | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Springs Home Sweepers | |||
| Scaw Metals F.C | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Goals) |
| Moroka Swallows | |||
| Palace Super Falcons | |||
| 2013–2016 | JVW | ||
| 2017–2018 | Houston Dash | 41 | (0) |
| 2019 | JVW | 6 | (2) |
| 2019–2020 | Fortuna Hjørring | 0 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Glasgow City | 3 | (1) |
| 2022-2023 | Ergotelis W | ||
| 2023 | JVW | ||
| International career | |||
| 2005–2023 | South Africa | 185 | (12) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2016 | JVW F.C. (player-coach) | ||
By Matlhomola Morake
