SIX MATCHES TO REMEMBER

Despite their recent mauling by Brazil, South Africa's women's team have been a force on the rise. Nick Said looks back at six memorable games, for different reasons, in their history.

- NICK SAID

SOUTH AFRICA 14-0 SWAZILAND 

30 May, 1993 - Friendly international

This was South Africa's first ever international as they made tentative steps back into the global game and ended with a resounding victory over neighbours Eswatini, then still known as Swaziland.

Current coach Desiree Ellis was in the line-up and would prove a stalwart of the national team in the early days. She grabbed a hat-trick, as did Gaylene Peters and Bertha King.

The team was coached by Englishman Terry Paine; he led them to subsequent victories over Zimbabwe in two more friendlies before handing the reins over to Sandile Bali.

CHINA 13-0 SOUTH AFRICA

7 September, 2003 - Friendly international

South Africa's heaviest defeat came at the hands of China in a friendly international almost two decades ago. Games against opponents from outside the continent were rare in those days, and so they served as a culture shock for the players, who were ill-prepared. This was certainly the case as China ran riot and overwhelmed Banyana Banyana in a game that will go down in infamy for the team.